Ernest P. Barka, 80, of South Ave., Derry, NH died Monday, March 10, 2003, at his home. He was born in Lawrence, MA on July 19, 1922, a son of the late Deeb and Nizme Barka and was a lifelong resident of Derry. He was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy in Derry, Class of 1941 where he was a nine letter athelete. He was a US Navy Veteran serving during WWII and was a member and past commander of the American Legion Lester Chase Post #9 in Derry and a member of the VFW Post #1617 in Derry where he served as commander from 1954-1955. He was active in family businesses with his brother Kalil running Barka Oil Co. and Barka Grocery. Mr. Barka served on the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners for more than 28 years. Commissioner Barka was a founder of the Rockingham County Nutrition and the Meals on Wheels Programs and has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1997. In 2002, the Board of County Commissioners honored Commissioner Barka’s continuing life of public service by naming the assisted living facility in his honor. This tribute is an acknowledgement of his commitment to the County’s mission of “Caring for Generations.” The facility was dedicated in his name on February 15, 2003. He was recognized by the NH Association of Counties as the County Commissioner of the Year in 1999, and had received the Vaughn Award from Governor Jeanne Shaheen. Mr. Barka also served for many years as a member of the NH House of Representatives for Derry. Mr. Barka also served for 29 years on the Derry School Board and was recognized for that by having the West Running Brook School Gymnasium dedicated in his name.
He is survived by one son, Greg E. (wife Mary Ellen) Barka of Derry, one step son, Robert Barka of Derry, one step daughter, Jane Kirkpatrick of Nashua, two grandchildren, Derek and Nathan, one brother, David (wife Deborah) Barka of Derry, several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. The burial will follow in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry. Friends may call at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry on Friday from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ernest P. Barka Assisted Living Community Fund, 117 North Rd., Underhill Wing, Brentwood, NH 03833.