Herb Barker may be gone, but his legacy lives on and is continuing to grow.

The co-founder of Barker Specialty (asi/132690), a Connecticut-based promotional products distributorship with a 71-year history, has been inducted into the Meriden Hall of Fame.

Herb Barker, Barker Specialty

Organized in 1975, The Meriden Hall of Fame Association was established to honor prominent people who live or have lived in Meriden, CT, who have distinguished themselves in their professional and private lives, and in so doing, have brought honor to the city of Meriden. Permanent plaques that pay tribute to the inductees are housed in Meriden City Hall.

“Dad and Mom would be so thrilled and honored to have this recognition by the Meriden Hall of Fame,” said Gerry Barker, president of Barker Specialty and Herb’s son. “Our entire family appreciates all the work done by the Meriden Hall of Fame organization.”

Herb Barker passed away in 2019 at age 90. Full of entrepreneurial energy and acumen, Barker founded Barker Specialty in 1951 with his wife Gloria. Kind, charismatic, sincerely caring and approachable, Barker was affectionately known as “Mr. B.”

As Barker built a successful family-run promo business over the years, he was also involved in a variety of other ventures and pursuits.

The U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War followed his passion for animation, art and collectibles to found, along with Gloria, the Barker Animation Arts Galleries and the Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum in the 1990s. Both remain attractions in Cheshire, CT. In 2016, the couple expanded the appreciation for artwork by opening an additional Barker Animation location in Mashantucket, CT.

Friendly and a good leader, Barker was a popular figure in Meriden, where he chaired the Public Celebrations Committee for a time. He led major events like Meriden Day at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City and parades in downtown Meriden. He also opened the first Golden Skillet restaurant in Meriden. In addition, Barker was one of the first inductees into the Connecticut Business Hall of Fame in 2006 and was named “Boss of the Year” by the Greater Hartford Jaycees.

“Herb was an amazing person, father, boss, friend and husband during his lifetime and certainly would be proud of the business’s evolution, success, and the continuous dedication to thrive in the (promo) industry,” read a statement from Barker Specialty. “Herb will forever be remembered as a charismatic entrepreneur, visionary, and an icon of Meriden.”