1924
Francis
2009
Francis M. Barker
August 2, 1924 — January 12, 2009
Concord, Massachusetts - January 12, 2009: Francis Meserve Barker, age 84, of Newbury Court in Concord, formerly of Williamstown, Massachusetts, died Monday in the company of his family. He was the husband of Anita (Bradshaw) Barker.
Born in Baltimore on August 2, 1924, the son of Marion Penniman and Francis Meserve Barker, he graduated from the Gilman School and Princeton University, Class of 1947, where he was a member of the Ivy Club. He earned a Master’s Degree from Cambridge University in England in 1949. During World War II, Barker served in the U. S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Barker was an investment banker in New York City for 20 years until his move to Williamstown in 1970. In Williamstown, he worked as a commercial banker in Pittsfield until his retirement in 1991. He was involved in many volunteer activities including Treasurer of the Williamstown Community Chest and the Hoosac Water Quality District. He also served as President of the Williamstown Little League and Chairman of both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. In addition, he was Chairman of the Berkshire Housing Development Corporation for 12 years, Treasurer of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and a member of the Western Regional Committee of The Trustees of Reservations. In 2002, Barker and his wife Anita were honored as Citizens of the Year by the Williamstown Community Chest.
Mr. Barker was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown and the Williams College Faculty Club. He enjoyed fly fishing in both the Berkshires and the Western U.S., as well as local hiking and canoeing.
Recently, Mr. Barker suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive neuro-degenerative disease.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his two children, Penny Barker Weeks of Arlington, Mass. and Francis B. Barker of Greenwood Village, Colorado, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, George P. Barker of Columbia, Maryland. A sister, Marion Barker Van Kleeck, predeceased him.
Services and burial for Francis M. Barker in Westlawn Cemetery in Williamstown will be private. The family requests that gifts in his memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to either: The Williamstown Community Chest (86 Spring Street, P.O. Box 204, Williamstown, MA 01267; www.WilliamstownCommunityChest.org); or the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (671 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA 01267; www.WRLF.org).
Arrangements under the direction of Funeral Director - Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
www.concordfuneral.com
978/369-3388
Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied
Born in Baltimore on August 2, 1924, the son of Marion Penniman and Francis Meserve Barker, he graduated from the Gilman School and Princeton University, Class of 1947, where he was a member of the Ivy Club. He earned a Master’s Degree from Cambridge University in England in 1949. During World War II, Barker served in the U. S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Barker was an investment banker in New York City for 20 years until his move to Williamstown in 1970. In Williamstown, he worked as a commercial banker in Pittsfield until his retirement in 1991. He was involved in many volunteer activities including Treasurer of the Williamstown Community Chest and the Hoosac Water Quality District. He also served as President of the Williamstown Little League and Chairman of both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. In addition, he was Chairman of the Berkshire Housing Development Corporation for 12 years, Treasurer of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and a member of the Western Regional Committee of The Trustees of Reservations. In 2002, Barker and his wife Anita were honored as Citizens of the Year by the Williamstown Community Chest.
Mr. Barker was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown and the Williams College Faculty Club. He enjoyed fly fishing in both the Berkshires and the Western U.S., as well as local hiking and canoeing.
Recently, Mr. Barker suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive neuro-degenerative disease.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his two children, Penny Barker Weeks of Arlington, Mass. and Francis B. Barker of Greenwood Village, Colorado, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, George P. Barker of Columbia, Maryland. A sister, Marion Barker Van Kleeck, predeceased him.
Services and burial for Francis M. Barker in Westlawn Cemetery in Williamstown will be private. The family requests that gifts in his memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to either: The Williamstown Community Chest (86 Spring Street, P.O. Box 204, Williamstown, MA 01267; www.WilliamstownCommunityChest.org); or the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (671 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA 01267; www.WRLF.org).
Arrangements under the direction of Funeral Director - Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
www.concordfuneral.com
978/369-3388
Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied
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