Bennie D.Barnes, age 50, of Rochester, NY, passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 2022. Bennie was born in Erie, Pa on July 21, 1971 to Phyllis Manus Barnes and Bennie E. Barnes (who preceded him in death).

Bennie graduated high school at the Technical Memorial School of Performing Arts (now Erie High School) where he studied acting and singing. He entered and won the first annual "Mr Class Erie" contest where he showed his artistry in fashion and talent. Through his love for acting he participated in many plays at the Erie Playhouse through his high school years. He was also a participant in the Gannon University Upward Bound Program where he participated in talent shows displaying his artistry. All that knew Bennie knew of his aspirations to sing, act and his love for fashion.

He won a full summer scholarship to the prestigious Governors School of the Arts which was held in the summers at Bucknell University before he went on to college. He later went on to attend Temple University with a full scholarship in the Performing Arts program. Bennie was known for his eloquent singing voice and his acting abilities. He sung in school and church choirs all his life and it was nothing for him to break out in a solo. He was known by his friends as the life of the party and was always joking and laughing with his normal intro "what is you giving".

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved mother and best friend Phyllis (Manus) Barnes, his brothers and sisters, Willie Manus,Terrence Hicks, Breanne Crawford, Sherrall Maloney, Justin Maloney, Chinello Blaski, Chalene Blaski, Alandis Docter, and Shadaii Stallman along with his special cousins who were like sisters Valerie Manus Santiago, Saundra Martin, Tiffany Martin-Stringer and his aunt Brenda Sanford. A special thank you to his longtime best friends Tiffany Calloway, Lon Beery and his mentor Arthur "Buster" Gilmer. Bennie has a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will always keep him in their hearts.

There are no words to express how much we will miss Bennie. He was always the joy around us and the laughter we needed.