Alvin Barkovsky

Alvin Joel Barkovsky lost his long battle with lung cancer November 6, 2016. He passed away at home with his wife, Carol, and family members around him as he wished. Al was born in the Bronx, NY, July 21, 1942 to Sylvia and Max Barkovsky, the eldest of 3 children. He grew up in the Bronx until high school when his parents moved to Levitt Town, Long Island. After graduating from high school, Al joined the USAF where he was trained for duty in the Strategic Air Command and served as a navigator on a B-52, based in Bangor, MA. Upon completing his service, he returned to Long Island to finish his education at Adelphi University. After graduating, Al was hired by IBM. His career began as a sales rep on Wall Street, introducing companies to computers. Al continued to excel in his career, advancing to manager, regional manager, executive and consultant in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with technology and software companies. He retired from The Gartner Group in Boulder. Al came to Colorado in 2002 because he ""wanted to see more trees than people"". He enjoyed the deer, elk, bears, and wild turkeys near his mountain home. He loved being with his step-children and grandchildren, who knew him as ""Grampa Owl"", the wise one. His sense of humor and Buddhist practice, carried him through many health crises. He never failed to lift the spirits of those around him. He possessed a loving heart and great compassion for others. Al is survived by his wife, Carol Paris Barkovsky; his step-children, Dr. Lyndee Paris, Jennifer Paris, and Jeff Paris; also by his grandchildren, Nicholas Paris-Sisneros, Sam Oberwetter, Joey and Lauren Hendershot, and Jackson Paris. He is survived by his sisters, Sharon Barkovsky and Rona Martin of Long Island, NY. A memorial service will be held at Howe Funeral Home, Longmont, CO, on December 17th at 1:00 pm followed by a reception. In remembrance: ""Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn's rain. When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I did not die."" Author Unknown -