Reginald Barefield, 74

MAGNOLIA - Reginald Barefield, of New York, Spain and most recently Delaware, passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, 2008, in Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Lewes. He was 74.

Mr. Barefield was of African and Native American decent (Seminole and Cherokee); and was born and raised in Lower Manhattan, Harlem, N.Y.

His early childhood spanned the time of the Great Depression and World War II.

Reginald went to work at a young age delivering groceries to residents of high rise buildings. This instilled a strong work ethic that lasted his entire life. It also kept him out of the trouble that many of his cohort succumbed to; many of whom failed to live out young adulthood.

After graduating high school, he joined the military in 1952 because he loved the flight jackets they wore in the Air Force. Reginald served 18 months in Vietnam, which family said had a dramatic impact on his life.

He reached the rank of master sergeant while stationed in Spain, and after retiring there in 1978 he remained in Spain for the remainder of his life, working as a civilian for various contractors at Zaragoza and Moron Air Base in Spain, until he retired again in 2003.

Reginald was extremely healthy and active, walking miles every day, until he returned to the United States in January 2005 for treatment of damaged nerves to his hands. He had surgery to improve this, but it was learned the problem was more serious as it was related to advancing prostate cancer.

He lived with his friends, Art and Reyes Harrison of Magnolia, while receiving chemotherapy first at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland then at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.

The chemotherapy failed to stop the cancer from spreading and at 10 minutes before midnight on Jan. 14, he quietly passed at the Harbor House, Lewes, where he had been receiving hospice care for the last four days.

His lifelong idol was Frank Sinatra for his music, movies and style. Reginald even dressed like him and loved any chance to sing in the military clubs.

Reginald loved movies and was a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge. He also played a small role in the movie "The Wind and the Lion," staring Sean Connery, which was filmed in Spain.

He was such an avid book reader that his home could rival many libraries.

He is survived by his children, Monique of New York, Anna Lawrence, Reginald, and Dona of Georgia and Deanna Lawson of New Jersey; his brother, John; and sisters, Betty Mae and Angela, all of New York City.

Burial with full military honors will be 1 p.m. Friday in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 100 Patriots Way, Millsboro.

Arrangements by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.

Letters of condolences may be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.