Stephen John Barker

“Sad are the hearts that love you. Silent the tears that fall.”

Stephen passed away in his own home on Saturday 12th June, aged 70 years.

A loving father of Anthony and the late Matthew. Dearest brother, brother in law and friend, Steve will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

A service to celebrate his life took place on Thursday 1st July in the Cemetery Chapel, Crewe, followed by interment in Meadow Brook Cemetery.

For any further information please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.

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Born on 12th March 1951 Steve was one of two children born to his parents John Arthur and Celia
Barker. Dad worked as a telephone engineer for the GPO, a trade that Steve would follow him into in
due course. With his younger sister Carol, they grew up in a loving and caring home, as a big brother
he was protective of Carol, a trait which continued throughout his life.
Steve attended Monks Coppenhall Primary School and finished his education at Crewe Boys
Grammar School on Ruskin Road. He was a bright and able student who loved and excelled at
Mathematics – which was reflected in his school reports, but sadly not in his final exams! He set
himself the task of attending night school to finally gain that much needed qualification.
He had always loved music – and throughout his life he had quite varied tastes. He enjoyed singing,
even to the point of joining a church choir to further his passion, singing at Chester Cathedral was
always close to the top of his special achievements in life.
He was best known as a member of the Barracudas, a local band in the 1970s.
He was a scout master for Wheelock 23rd Scout troop from 1995 – 2005.
In his working life he thrived on jobs that allowed him the freedom of working out of doors and in
which he could use his own initiative. These included working for the GPO as a telephone engineer
like his dad, but he also embraced working as a builder, plumber, carpenter and electrician. He was
the total package if you ever needed a building job doing or in fact a complete renovation! – Steve
could turn his hand to virtually any job and if he could not do it, he knew someone who could. His
network of friends was varied and compartmentalised in many ways.
In 2010 he retired as his body would not let him undertake the heavy work he had done in the past.
His chest and his breathing became a real challenge, but it was with a heavy heart that he had to let
go of his independence.
Steve married twice. He was a husband to Carol for 6 years and in 1985 he married again making
Barbara his wife – sadly they would separate after nine years.
They were blessed with two sons; Antony and Matthew, he was so proud of them both and although
he wasn’t an emotional dad and rarely showed his feelings, but he did care deeply for his boys.
He was also very close to his nieces and nephews; Sharon, whom he stood as godfather for, Gillian,
Jason and Mark.
When the kids were small, holidays were taken along the North Wales coast – usually time spent
under canvas- simple holidays which helped to create some marvelous memories.
Steve was a loyal and generous man who was sociable but was also comfortable in his own
company. He chose his friends wisely knowing that to have good friends you could count on was
important and you had to work at friendships if they were going to endure.
He had high expectations of himself and those around him, and this was reflected in his
workmanship. His ability to undertake most jobs made him popular with many people – and his
generous nature made it impossible for him to turn down any favours or pass up any requests.
He had a kaleidoscope of talents, ideas and thoughts and he breathed life into projects and ideas.
With Ant he enjoyed attending track days, and on a smaller scale they built and raced remote cars
together. It was a little thing really but it quickly became a family concern.

His world became a darker place when tragedy struck. In 2018 Matthew passed away aged just 32,
and very soon after, Steve lost his mother. There seemed to be no light at the end of the dark
tunnel.
One of his strongest characteristics was his laugh and the light of sheer joy in his eyes. These are the
things those who knew him well will recall when they think of him. The broad grin and twinkle in his
eyes will provide enduring memories for those who loved him.
He was a remarkable man in many ways. He had a gruff manner but was, at heart a bit of a softie. He
could be cantankerous and difficult, but if you needed help, he’d be the first one, right there beside
you.

May He Rest In Peace