Barney's Appliance Repair is owned and operated by Paul Jan Wenz. "Jan" retired in 1990 after teaching in Rhode Island schools for 23 years. He graduated from Bellarmine College (now Bellarmine University) in Louisville, Kentucky in 1967 and began his teaching career. In June of that year he joined the Navy and was stationed in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Jan returned to teaching in 1970 and in 1976 obtained a Master's of Education Degree from Rhode Island College.
At age 46 he retired from teaching but soon realized he was ready for a new career. He then enrolled in the Bay State School of Technology in Caton, Massachusetts and received a degree in Appliance Repair and Domestic Refrigeration. After graduation he opened Barney's Appliance Repair in Rhode Island. He named the business after his beloved Bassett Hound. Tiring of the long New England winters he moved to Melbourne, Florida where his family had settled in the 1970s. He then continued his education by attending Brevard Community College to study courses in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
Jan has had many other interests including owning and training thoroughbred horses in the New England Circuit, numerous real estate holdings and ownership of taverns in the Rhode Island area.
Jan is also a member of many fraternal organizations such as the Elks, Eagles, Moose and American Legion.
