Herbert Barker was the co-founder of promo distributor Barker Specialty Company (asi/132690) and head of the family that has run the business successfully for nearly 70 years. Some might get airs amid such success, but not Barker. He remained the same kind, charismatic, sincerely caring, approachable man – a big-hearted patriarch known simply and affectionately at Barker Specialty as “Mr. B.”

Herbert Barker, Barker Specialty

It’s in that golden light that both family and the Barker Specialty team will remember Barker following his April 3 passing at age 90. “Mr. B was, without a doubt, a child at heart,” said Amy Fields, director of marketing at Barker Specialty. “His zeal and enthusiasm for life was infectious. His seemingly limitless energy supply (was) a driving force of nature behind all who have been blessed to know him. This very passion was evident in all that he did.”

And boy did he do a lot.

In 1951, he and his late wife Gloria founded Barker Specialty, a Cheshire, CT-based promotional products distributor that quickly grew into a multi-million dollar business. Over the years, the Barkers’ four children became involved in the company, and the firm earned awards and recognitions, including a spot on Counselor’s Best Places to Work list. Son Gerry Barker continues to steer the ship as company president. Herbert Barker -- a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War who served with the Signal Corps -- lived long enough to see his grandson Max, Gerry’s son, join the business, a point of pride and joy.

Gerry Barker and Max Barker. The photograph on the wall shows Herbert and Gloria Barker. 

Herbert was active outside ad specialties as well. With a passion for pop culture and the like, he co-founded the Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum with his wife. The unique space is home to 80,000 character toys, antique toys and collectibles, much of it from Herbert and Gloria’s personal collection, which they began amassing in the 1960s.  “Sometimes four generations come in at once and they all come out so happy,” Ursula Vinke, docent of the museum, told the Record-Journal in January. “It’s a place where you forget all your troubles.”

Herbert also translated his love for animation and pop art into establishing Barker Animation Art Galleries & Collectibles -- four internationally acclaimed art animation and pop art galleries that sell original works from renowned production/publication studios. “With a unique catalog of originals, limited editions and collectibles to choose from - it's no wonder why 13,000 collectors from 15 different countries proudly display artwork from Barker Animation in their homes and offices,” the website states.

Herbert brought his passion and energy to philanthropic efforts, too – another sign of his kind nature and abundant spirit. “Hundreds of thousands have benefited from this generosity, with well over $2 million in charitable contributions graciously donated throughout his years,” said Fields.

While its difficult to say goodbye, Herbert’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those whose lives’ he touched, the businesses he founded and in his family, which includes his four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. “His legacy…has become our legacy, as we strive to preserve his amazing work and follow his profound example for generations to come. We all take great comfort in knowing that he and his beloved wife Gloria (d. 2017) are reunited once again for all eternity.”