George Barker Obituary

George H Barker, also known as Rusty, of Seminole Florida passed away on April 7, 2023, with family by his side. His wife of 70 years Pat, proceeded him in death, 6 months earlier, and he missed her dearly. . He was born in Yonkers, NY on July 29, 1931 to Sylvester J Barker and Lillian Terry Barker. The youngest his siblings, he was predeceased by his oldest brother Oscar, sister Geraldine and adopted brother Phil. George attended St Joseph's on The Hill, and Gorton High School. In High School he was a runner and the Yonkers Champion of the 1/4 mile, and he also ran cross country earning many tiles and awards. He enlisted in the Air Force Jan 2, 1951, and spent 14 months in Alaska. He finished his enlistment at Scott AFB in Belleville, IL. While at Scott AFB he was on the Scott track team running the 1/4 mile. He was honorably discharged in 1954. He frequently shared stories of his time in the service. George loved his country. While home on leave, Nov 29, 1952 George married his long time sweetheart, Patricia Tuohy, after his discharge, they settled on Gordon Street in Yonkers, and started their family. Ten years later, they moved to Katrina Drive in Yorktown Heights, NY where they raised their 4 children and endless dogs and cats. George worked in construction out of High School and after serving in the Air Force worked first as a Plumber. He started driving an 18 Wheeler for Tuohy Trucking and then joined Grand Union and the Teamsters #456 driving for the warehouse in Mount Kisco for over 30 years. After retirement, Patricia and George moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, settling in Ocean Pines MD. . They lived on the water and bought a boat and joined the Power Squadron of Ocean Pines. George was never a person to be idle, and so he joined the Fire Police, and soon became an EMT and ambulance driver. He was extremely active as an EMT and soonlogged well over 3000 responses to calls for help. He loved being able to help people in medical distress, and he even delivered a baby. He also volunteered at the local hospital at the information desk and in transport. In 2002 George and Pat moved to the Jungle neighborhood of St Petersburg Fl. There they joined the congregation of the Cathedral of St Jude, where George continued volunteering with the Knights, George was a fourth degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and also served as an advocate for his council. and as an usher for 30 years. In 2016 they moved to Freedom Square in Seminole. George was a lifelong athlete and also loved hard physical work. He belonged to the Palisade Athletic Club of Yonkers (the PACOY club) participating in track, and cross country. He was a member of the Yonkers Canoe Club and was a nationally competitive paddler, winning championships and barely missing a trip to the 1956 Olympics. George played on the summerleague softball team in Yorktown Heights for many years. He resumed running road races again at age 50, and continued running 5k, 10k, and 1/2 marathons into his 70's. Continuing his active lifestyle, George played ball in the Kids and Cubs softball league well into his 80's. George was a lifelong Gardener, he loved digging and planting his garden and his anticipation of the spring planning and planting and his fall harvest was infectious. He was passionate about cooking with his homegrown herbs and vegetables, cultivating this interest in his younger generation family as well. He was pre-deceased by his eldest daughter Kathleen Barker McConnell, and son, G Martin Barker (Debbie), of Collegeville, PA, he is survived by his remaining children Colleen Barker Negersmith (Kent)of Carmel NY, Laura Barker Donelan (Edward) of Dunedin, FL. he is survived by Grandchildren Brian McConnell (Erin) of Kansas, Christine McConnell Parker (Jason) of Charlotte NC, Emily Negersmith of NYC, Eric Donelan (Eugenie) of Cresskill NJ, Kaitlin Najarian(Greg) of NYC, Brendan Donelan of NYC, Jack Donelan, of Hoboken, NJ. She also has 6 Great Grandchildren: Addie and Christopher McConnell, Dorothy and Declan Parker, Alexander Donelan, and Vienna Najarian. Visitation at Yorktown Funeral Home, Old Route 6 Shrub Oak NY on Friday May 19, 4:00pm - 7:00 pm Mass at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, May 20, 10:00, am followed by at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Putnam Valley NY