MILLINOCKET – Henry J. Barker Jr., 89, passed away Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at a Millinocket hospital. He was born Nov. 28, 1919, in Millinocket, the son of Henry J. and Sarah Lucy (Martin) Barker Sr. Henry enlisted in the Army National Guard, Nov. 15, 1938, and was called up for active duty during World War II. He served with the 124th Regiment in the Pacific Theatre. Henry was discharged at the rank of staff sergeant, July 14, 1945, and continued in the National Guard until retiring in 1979 as a chief warrant officer. Henry joined the workforce as an accountant for Great Northern Paper Co., retiring in 1979 after 44 years of service. He married Catherine McCluskey in July 1945. Together they shared 23 years until her passing in 1968. He then married Priscilla Picard-Waite in March 1970, and they have remained together since. Henry loved music and played the keyboard with skill. In his younger years, he would play his collection of music for his friends and neighbors in “the flats” in Millinocket with a speaker system he put together himself. He was active with local sporting activities, coaching the East Millinocket Giants Little League for several years. As a young man, he was among the many volunteers who helped search for Donn Fendler. Henry belonged to Donald V. Henry Post No. 80 American Legion and Francis E. Elliott Post No. 4154 VFW, both of Millinocket. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Priscilla Barker of Millinocket; two children, Gilda Stratton of Millinocket and Jamey Barker of East Millinocket; eight stepchildren, Nancy Scully and her husband, Jeff, of Saco, Jan Waite of Bath, Billie Farley and her husband, Russell, of Woodville, Allan Waite of Bath, Kent Waite and his wife, Julie, of Medway, Leslie Waite and his wife, Sharon, of Medway, Ross Waite of East Millinocket, and Robbie Waite of Philadelphia; grandchildren, Jonathan, Kristine, Taylor, Bethany, Ryan, Jessica, Angela, Aaron, Traci, Jordan, Abbey, Hannah, Wilson, Karlie, Kaley, Kristy, Cynthia and Alicia; two great-grandchildren, Kiersten and Jocelyn; two sisters, Margaret Gallant and Thelma Malone, both of Dahlonega, Ga.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents and first wife, Henry was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, with Deacon Danny Watson officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Henry may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
HENRY J. BARKER JR.
