Obituary of Jack R. Barker

Jack R. Barker of West Bloomfield, NY, passed away on June 8, 2016 after a short but complex bout with pancreatic cancer. Jack was born December 29, 1931 in Rochester, NY to Ambrose Barker and Helen Ryan. Jack is predeceased by his first wife, Maria Anceaux Barker. He is survived by his second wife, Sue Laraway Barker, children Beth Carr, Avon, NY, John C. Barker (Elizabeth A. Barker), Hartland, VT, James Ryan-Barker (Jolanda Ryan-Barker), Rhinebeck, NY, and Wayne W. Barker, New York, NY, grandson, Nathan Carr of Avon, NY, many step grandchildren, one half-brother, Walter Curtis Barker of Holley, NY. He is also survived by his cousin Curtis Barker's wife, Jane Barker of Canandaigua, NY. Jack spent all his early years in and around Rochester and graduated from Webster High School. During the Korean Conflict, Jack joined the Navy, where he became a electronics technician. On one of many sea voyages he became a member of the "SOS Club" - he had actually sent an SOS by Morse code from a sinking ship! This was on the USS White Marsh while cruising in the Arctic! While his ship was in drydock in Baltimore, MD, he married his high school sweetheart, Maria W. Anceaux of Webster, NY. After discharge from the Navy, he finished his electrical engineering degree at RIT under the GI Bill and began to pursue a career with local companies including Stromberg Carlson. Jack and Maria rebuilt an 1860 farmhouse in West Bloomfield, NY and it was the only move they ever made. They also enjoyed many weekends at their camp in the Adirondacks which gave them great solace. Activity around the kitchen woodstove included all manner of Jack's passionate interests: conservation issues, hunting, fishing, aeronautics, vintage trucks, model airplanes, watercolor painting, wooden canoe restorations - you name it, and it was a topic for conversation and a new project! His appreciation for the wisdom and culture of the Native Americans was also well known. Jack was a member of many organizations which he cared passionately about and would do just about anything to help - from changing a light bulb in the church to building a propeller for a 1910 flying machine. In his later years he married longtime friend, Sue Laraway of Honeoye Falls, NY. They became quite a team at events of clubs and church gatherings. Sunday drives around the state and beyond, even trips in the old 1947 GMC truck became a most satisfying pastime for them both. They had plenty of children and grandchildren to go visit! Sue was by his side right up to the end. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a celebration of Jack's life at the West Bloomfield Congregational Church at 11am on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Donations in his memory may be made to the church of your choice, or to any of the numerous organizations that he was a part of. Jack was a great friend and supporter to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.