Johnny Barnes facts for kids
John James Randolf Adolphus Mills (born June 23, 1923 – died July 9, 2016), known as Johnny Barnes, was a special person from Bermuda. He was famous for waving to cars every workday morning. He stood at the Foot of the Lane roundabout in Hamilton, Bermuda. He would be there from about 3:45 AM to 10 AM, no matter the weather!
Johnny was known for waving and saying "I love you, God loves you" to people driving by. Many people driving into Hamilton from the west and south would pass him every day. He became a well-known part of Bermuda, even appearing in guidebooks and documentaries.
Early Life and Work
Johnny Barnes was born to parents who came from St. Kitts. He first worked as an electrician. He helped keep the Bermuda Railroad running until it closed in 1948. After that, Johnny became a bus driver. He enjoyed waving to people even then, sometimes during his breaks or on his way to work.
Johnny married his wife in 1949. They lived together happily until he passed away in 2016. He said he had "covered her with honey" since they were married, which made her very cheerful. They did not have any children.
A Waving Tradition Begins
Around 1986, Johnny Barnes started his famous waving at the Crow Lane roundabout. He was there almost every day for many years. He "retired" from his waving post in December 2015. People would even call local radio stations if he wasn't there! Sometimes, other people would join him. They might dress up or hold signs to support a charity or event.
Johnny's Positive Outlook
Johnny Barnes said his mother taught him to be kind to strangers. She told him to "speak to everyone you see." She believed you never know when you might need someone's help.
Johnny loved making people happy. He often said, "Life is sweet, life is beautiful, it is sweet to be alive." He encouraged everyone to "enjoy the sunshine, the flowers, the birds – they're happy."
He believed in sharing God's love with everyone. While he would pray with visitors if they asked, he mostly focused on spreading general love and happiness. Johnny often said, "We human beings got to learn how to love one another." He believed that if people loved each other, there would be no wars or fighting.
His Lasting Legacy
In November 1998, a group of local business people created a special tribute to Johnny. They unveiled a life-size bronze statue of him. The statue shows Johnny blowing kisses into the air. It is located on Crow Lane, close to the roundabout where he used to wave.
Some people wondered why they spent $70,000 on a statue for someone who was still alive. But Johnny said he was happy to enjoy the gesture while he was still around. He felt he wouldn't be able to appreciate it if he were gone.
In June 2016, a man named Dennis Bean started waving to traffic. He stood at the roundabout at the bottom of Trimingham Road. He waved in the same friendly way that Johnny Barnes made famous, continuing the tradition of spreading happiness.
