Bruce Walter Barker

Bruce W. Barker died peacefully at Sunnyside Village in Sarasota, Florida with his wife by his side on March 30, 2025. He lost his battle with cancer at the age of 81. He was the son of the late Dr. Daniel and Adelaide Barker of Southport, Connecticut. Bruce attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine where he excelled in Track & Field as an athletic standout. He set several school records, including the shot- put record that he set in 1966 which remains the State of Maine Shot-put State record today. He was awarded the MVP member of the school’s Varsity Track & Field squad. He graduated from Colby in 1966 with a degree in Business Administration.

After graduating from Colby, he enlisted in the Officer’s Program in the U.S. Air Force. Attaining the rank of Captain, he flew U.S. fighter jets over the course of several deployments in the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969. Bruce was extremely patriotic and proud of his military service to our country. After he was honorably discharged in 1977, he began an illustrious 30-year career at People’s Bank in Connecticut. He further pursued his education in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut where he was awarded his Master’s degree in1980. Bruce held a number of positions within the bank, eventually rising to serve as the Bank’s Executive Vice-President. He retired in 2008. He was a member of the Prestancia golf community of Sarasota, Florida where he was an avid golfer.

He married Carol Anne Svrchek of Greenwich, CT in 1986.They lived happily in Newtown, CT and spent weekends in Winhall, Vermont where they skied and enjoyed the New England outdoors. He is survived by his wife, Carol Anne Barker of Sarasota, Florida, his sister, Jean Barker Halsell of New Canaan, Connecticut as well as two sons, Andrew Barker of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bruce Barker, Jr. of Wall Township, New Jersey. He is further survived by step-daughter Kimberly Ann Bartlett of Madison, Connecticut and grandsons, Ryder William Barker and Garrett Wilson Barker, both of Colorado Springs.

A private family service will be held in Fairfield, Connecticut.