Keith Barger died January 21, 2011, after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Patricia Barger, with whom he shared an antiques business for more than 32 years †Patricia Barger Antiques.

Keith was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1927, in Sebring, Fla., and raised by his grandparents in North Carolina. He served in the military at the end of World War II, from 1945 to 1949.

“Everyone loved him, he had wonderful stories to tell,” Patricia said. “He was the love of my life, and his life would have made a wonderful story.”

Keith earned his pilot’s license when he was 14 (before he got his driver’s license) and after the war started a trucking company with a war-time friend.

Keith was well known at antiques shows, and used to say there are tall case clocks in 21 states that he sold to customers.

He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Kim Stanley and her husband, Bill, of Wallingford, Conn., and son Keith Barger and his family in Denmark; Keith and Patricia’s son Jeffrey Barger died four years ago after serving in Iraq.

A small, family service will be held at a future date.

Remembrance Of Keith Barger

To the Editor:

Keith and Patricia Barger have been among my circle of friends in the antiques business for more than 30 years. Patricia was the salesperson and Keith the workhorse in the antiques business they shared for a great many years. Visiting their booth at shows in New England or Washington, D.C., suburbs would usually yield some fresh addition to my household, but only after a delightful conversation with her about the piece and with Keith about life.

Keith had a wealth of experiences in his many years, along with a wonderful knowledge of the clocks offered from their collection. His humor was usually with such a straight face, his audience, even if it was only one, would hesitate before realizing Keith was joking or sometimes teasing. But it was always in a warm and friendly manner. A true gentleman and always the support for the one and only love of his life, Patricia.

Keith will be missed by many of us, but especially by Pat and his children.

I will also miss my friend.

Tom O’Hara