Brian, or as he was mostly known as “Buzz” was a man with a heart of gold. Buzz touched a lot of people in his life, and had a lot of good friends. Those few people who hurt him did so because they could not handle that he was such a good guy - and they will NEVER meet another one like him. Brian had a loving, tender heart, but was tough when he needed to be. He was terrible at spelling, but was a total genius when it came to computers, mechanics, electronics and machining. He had a wide variety of talents, and enjoyed life to the max. Buzz was one of the BEST motorcycle riders around. He enjoyed heavy metal music and really loved cats. He was generous, he would help a friend in need, and he had an inoffensive, wacky sense of humor. Buzz was a lot of fun to be around, and I’m really thankful that we got to spend as much time together as we did, especially during this past year. We had made plans to go on a lot of rides together, and to do things with each other this coming summer... but alas, those plans were not to be. I will never forget Brian’s last words to me as I walked out of his hospital room. They were, “HEY! I LOVE YOU!!!” I replied to him, “I Love you too, Buzz!” fully expecting to visit with him and talk to him the following day.
It is my sincere prayer that you will read this testimony in it’s entirety and do take the words written here to heart. In Jesus’ Holy Name, I Pray. Amen.
I want to share with you some events of the last few weeks of Buzz’s life. I had been asking Buzz to come to church with me for the past few years; and he FINALLY came to my church on Easter Sunday, 2005. (Thank you, Yonnie, for coming with him.) At the end of the service that Sunday, Pastor Rocco made an altar call to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior; and for others who wanted prayer. I asked Brian if he wanted to go forth with me; he said that he “wasn’t ready yet.” I said, “But tomorrow might be too late!!!” He looked surprised at me, but gave me a hug, and left.
Later on via e-mail, he wrote to me, telling me that he wanted to make sure that he did things right, that he wasn’t going up there until he was sure that he was ready to, that he didn’t want to be a hypocrite, but wanted to do it “all the way”, not half-heartedly” and that “You really freaked me out when you said that tomorrow might be too late!... like I’m going to die soon or something!”
I told him that “You never know when it is your “time to go”... that you could be tying your shoelaces in the morning, but the undertaker might be untying them the same night.... that nobody knows when it is their time to die” (never imagining that he would be leaving us so soon!!) I also told him that Jesus LOVES him just like he is; and when one accepts the Lord as their Savior, that they don’t have to change; God changes them gradually, in God’s own perfect time. I told Buzz that “Today is the day, now is the acceptable time for Salvation.” Twelve days later, he departed this life and stepped out into his eternal destination. It was so sudden and unexpected.
Sometime between the time that I corresponded with him until the time of his accident, Buzz gave his life to Jesus. Four days before his accident, I went with him to see his friends who playing in the band “The Offenders”. A few friends of his told me (afterwards at the funeral home) of some of the things that he had said to them that night, such as “God is my buddy” and “Jesus is my friend”... and that he told them that he had never been HAPPIER in his life. They told me that he was a “different Buzz”, that he was actually “glowing” with happiness. The things that they quoted him as saying were not typical of my brother’s speech, which leads me to believe that He had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, and that he had a supernatural encounter with God, and was touched by the Holy Spirit.
At the time of his accident, the Holy Spirit gave me comfort in my heart that my brother was going to be alright, in spite of his injury. I really thought in my heart of hearts that he was going to make a comeback like Lazarus, that he would recover totally from it. But what I was misunderstanding was that God thru His Holy Spirit was bearing Witness with my spirit, telling me that Buzz is Saved, that he “made it”, and is going to go “home” to be with the Lord in heaven. The words of his friends at the funeral home gave me confirmation that this is true.
I just want you who are reading this to know, that once the Lord touches you, you will never be the same, but will be greatly blessed. I speak this from personal experience. Buzz made it to heaven “by the skin of his teeth” but at least he made it. The Bible says that there are only two places you will spend eternity - heaven or hell, where your SOUL WILL NEVER DIE. There is no such thing as “purgatory” (it is NOT in the Bible which is God’s Word), and people CANNOT pray your soul into heaven, no matter how many candles they light for you or give donations in your name. Only by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior can you get there; not by being a good person, not by doing good deeds, being religious or giving to the poor... but ONLY by SINCERELY asking God to forgive you of your sins, and accepting and believing that Jesus Christ was crucified, died and rose again to pay for the remission of your sins. Only by the shed blood of Jesus can anyone come to the Father and have ETERNAL LIFE in heaven, and avoid eternal suffering in hell.
So what do you say my friend? Can you swallow your pride like Buzz did and ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and reign in your heart as your Lord and Savior? Think about it... because tomorrow might be too late.... there are no second chances once you are dead!!
The following is in the Bible, Jesus said it, and I believe it: “Jesus answered and said unto him,Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - John 3:3
Hey Buzz, I LOVE YOU and I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN!!
- Your sister Candy
His Obituary
Brian A. “Buzz” Barna, 40, of Duquesne, died Friday, April 8, 2005, in hospice at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, due to severe brain trauma resulting from a motorcycle accident. A journeyman machinist, master mechanic and computer whiz, he was a graduate of West Mifflin South Class of 1983. He loved life, living it to the fullest. He will be sadly missed by his loving family and many loyal friends. Motorcycles were his passion since childhood. Brian loved cats, and he had a huge heart for helping others in need. He was a beloved son and brother.
Born in McKeesport on July 1, 1964, he was the son of Irene Buchtan Barna of Duquesne and the late Elmer A. Barna. He is survived by his mother; his brother, Alex (Helen Kavic) Barna of Duquesne; his sister, Candy (William) Bowen of Belle Vernon; nephews, Samuel and Steve Barna, grandfather, Alex Barna of Duquesne; uncle Emil (Diane) Buchtan of Carmichaels, Aunt Marge (Donald) Wolf of North Versailles, and many cousins.
Friends will be received in the Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home Inc., 915 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, 412-466-3300, Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7 p.m. until the hour of service there at 8:30 with the Rev. Frank Rocco officiating. The family has suggested memorial contributions to White Oak Animal Safe Haven, 2295 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131.
www.maloy-schleiferfuneralhome.com
Addendum - A Word of Thanks
Thank You, Jupe and Fej, for coming to my rescue when my truck lost its brakes on the way to getting my mother to take her to Mercy when I got that dreadful phone call from my frantic Mother. Thank You, Fejjie and April, for offering me the use of your truck (I was too upset and it was too “hi-tech” for me to deal with at the time, and I thought, “I am a nervous wreck - if I break this I know that I can’t buy it!!! so I didn’t take it, even though you drove me to my Mom’s.) Thank You, Tanea, for riding in the ambulance with Buzz so they could know who he is and what happened. Thank You, Chip, for getting my Mother and me to the hospital on that horrible night and for standing vigil with us until my brother Al showed up.
Thank You to the “Munchie Angel” who left us food and drink at the hospital during the first days when Brian was at the hospital ICU, even though they wouldn’t let you in to see Buzz. (I suspect that it was You Pam - Thank You Sister!). Thank You, Father Stevo, for the beautiful Prayer that You gave at the early service and for being there for us, in spite of the critical situation with Your own Mother, where You were greatly needed. Thank You Pastor Rocco for preaching the Word which resulted in leading my cousin Becky to Salvation during the funeral service. Thank You to Hefty for the great dedication that you gave at the funeral after Pastor was done. Thank You to everybody who came to the funeral home and who gave or sent us cards. Your numbers, hugs, gifts and condolences gave our
family great comfort. Thank You April, for the beautiful memorial wreath. I have it hanging in my
kitchen and every now and then I smell the scent of the eucalyptus wafting off of it!!! After two
whole years! That never ceases to amaze me!!!
After the funeral, some of Buzz’s friends got together to help our Mother over the inevitable
rough financial spot. I would like to personally Thank You, Roger, Owner of Secret’s Bar and Grill,
for being generous enough to host the fundraiser benefit for my brother. I also Thank Shades and you
other guys of the band “The Offenders” for putting on a great performance in honor of Buzz. Thank You,
Thunder and Dee, for Your very GENEROUS donation towards the funeral expenses. Thank You,
Kimmie, for getting me the raffle tickets so I could get more donations. Thank You Dewey and Pam,
for helping me sell the raffle tickets. Thank You to everybody else that CARED enough to come to this
function to help us out. If I have left anybody else out here, it was not intentional and please accept my
apology if I did. Thank You to EVERYBODY who came, partied and truly showed us Your Love at this
most difficult time. May the Lord Bless You a hundred times over for the good that You did. There is no
way that our family could ever repay You.
With Genuine and Heartfelt Love and Sincere Gratitude,
candy
In Loving Memory Of
Brian Andrew Barna
“BUZZ”
July 1, 1964 to April 8, 2005
Dearest Brian... my little brother... oh how I miss you.... my soul and spirit REJOICES for you; but my heart and mind deeply mourns at the loss of you... not a day goes by that I don’t think about you... I MISS YOU SO MUCH...
