Elliott George Barske, Sr.
Elliott George Barske Sr. age 93, passed to his Lord in New Haven on August 23, 2013. The loving husband and 'boyfriend' of Shirley Clark Barske for 71 years of marriage. Elliott was Father to Elliott Jr. (Dianne) of Anchorage, AK, Barbara Hackett of Woodstock and Jeffrey of Thompson; brother to Charlotte Schmermond of Hamden. He was very proud of his eight grandchildren, and their life successes and bragged that he had 5 great grandchildren living throughout the country. Predeceased by his son-in-law, Gregory Hackett. Born in New Haven on February 7, 1920 to the late George and Emilie Ertelt Barske. Elliott lived in Hamden and was in the first graduation class of Hamden High School in 1937. He was proud to attend Yale University with the Class of 1941, where he was an active singer and pianist, singing with the Yale Glee Club with a claim to fame that he once sang with the Glee Club on the same stage as Frank Sinatra and Connie Haines in the Big Band era. He served in the US Navy in 1944 and thereafter began a long career in railroading, first with the New York Central RR and then The New Haven Railroad /Conrail as a specialist in Freight movement and handling until his retirement in 1980. After moving to North Haven in 1950, Elliott was a good family man and enjoyed over 55 years of camping each summer at Hammonasset. He had a love of reading, and history and maintained countless records and research of literature, Naval History and family genealogy. He was an avid Yale sports fan and loved attending Yale football, hockey and swimming events. He also was proud to be recently the Yale Alumni secretary for Classes graduating in the 1930's and 1940's. His true love in life was music. He was a lifetime member of the University Glee Club (and Bell Ringers) and throughout his life as part of the Church of the Redeemer Choir. He served as Historian for both groups. After retirement, Elliott and Shirley enjoyed trips to Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Alaska along with many short trips with the Elder Hostel program throughout the US. He was a solid father and such a good friend to so many from his work life, his life of song and many years with his best friends from Hammonasset. His dedication to his family and his literary and music interests framed his life and he will be fondly remembered for his love of Shirley and his love of life. A Funeral Service to honor the man and his music will be held at the Church of the Redeemer, New Haven at 4:00pm on Wednesday September 4th. Music will be provided by the Church Choir and members of the University Glee Club. A reception will follow at the church in their Fellowship Hall. A private burial will take place in Centerville Cemetery. BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden in care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elliott's memory may be sent to the Church of the Redeemer, 185 Cold Spring St, New Haven, CT 06511 or the University Glee Club, c/o Michael Grappone, 360 Yale Ave, New Haven, CT 06515.
Dear Jeff & Family , We wish we knew the magic words to say to take away the pain and hardship the loss of your loved one has brought into your lives. He was a lovely person and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a nice service today for your Dad , Love Bill & Paula
Dear Jeff and All Family– Thoughts an prayers thru this very sad time. Love & Sympathy, Maureen Maniscalco
Dear Mrs. Barske, ok (Shirley), Barbara C.P.B Hackett, Jeff, Elliott and Diane, Aunt Charlotte and all the grands and great-grands. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers and it is with great regret I cannot be with you at this time. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and condolences and may he rest in peace and free of pain. My heart sinks a little deeper as the .Pool Road family. slips away. Cherish all the wonderful memories, and I know there are many….Hugs all around and a special Hug for Shirley. With Love From Katie.
Dear Shirley, Elliott, Jr. , Barbara & Jeff, Our thoughts, love, and deepest sympathy are with all of you and your families at this difficult time. Elliott was a wonderful man and a good friend throughout the years. We had many phone calls during the years following our move to Orchard Park, NY, and we remember visits with Shirley and him at their home. You will all be remembered in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Ed & Eileen (Barske) Sullivan
Gerry and I have been thinking of all of you and hope that your many wonderful memories will help you through these sad times. My family’s years at Hammonasset with the Barske family were some of the best and I will always cherish the memories. Love to all of you, Jan Smyth
Heartfelt sympathy to our special beach family. May he rest in peace,
Jeff, Lori and I want to offer our sincerest condolences to you and your family. Aldo & Lori Prario
Jeff, my sympathies and prayers are with you and yours. – Kirsten Walker/hamden
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. I have so many wonderful memories of all the wonderful times our families shared. We’ve been fortunate. Allen and I send our deepest sympathy, and our love, to all. Karen McConnell
Thinking of you all and knowing what a sad time this is for all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Eileen and Bob Horan, children of Augusta Barske Horan, Elliott’s first cousin Waterford, CT
Thinking of you on the one year passing of your Dad tomorrow ,Love Bill and Paula
To Barbara and all her family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of sadness. Keep all your loving memories close to your hearts. Love, Ned and Marge (Ewer) Forand Flagler Beach, FL
To the entire Barske family- I started working with Elliot in 1956 on the NH railroad and we continued our friendship thru the year with our monthly luncheons at the Rustic Oak until this year. His help to me over the years and special railroad items he gave me I will always treasure. I will very much miss his true friendship and great railroad stories he shared with us all. Fred Kossack, North Haven, CT.