Barry J. Roecker, 61, of Norwalk, CT passed away peacefully Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Yale New Haven Hospital with family at his side. Born in Easton, PA, he was a son of Jack H. Roecker of Alachua, FL and Warrington, PA and the late Bernice (Black) Roecker.
Barry was a graduate of William Tennent High School. As a member of the wrestling and track and field teams, he set a number of records and held those records for many years. He graduated from Princeton University, continuing track, wrestling and playing rugby.
A man of adventure and fun, he spent the year after graduation traveling Europe before he began his career with the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to retirement, he was a scientific affairs liaison at Bayer Laboratories.
His life was rich with enduring friendships and a passion for living life to the fullest. As he would say, “Live each day as a holiday, and tomorrow as a new year.” Living an active and fulfilling life, his interests were wide and far ranging including sailing, flying, traveling, owning horses, playing rugby, skiing, etc.
He is survived by his father, Jack; sister, Lois Daggett and her husband, Ronald of Warminster and a niece, Michelle Rummel and her husband, Dean of Easton. His niece, Lynn Daggett died earlier.
Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 13 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at Northampton Memorial Shrine.
On Sunday, August 21st, friends and neighbors are invited to visit with family during hours 1 to 4 pm at 23 Channel Rd., Norwalk, CT 06854.
Remembrances in his name may be made to Princeton University, Scholarship Fund, c/o Helen Hardy, Alumni Donor Records, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543 or Thoracic Oncology Program at Yale New Haven Hospital, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.
Stephen B. Garner ’72
December 5, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I knew Barry. We wrestled together, almost the same weight, at Princeton. He was a solid man even then. Although it has been almost 40 years since graduation and almost 15 since I last saw Barry I am saddened to lose a good man from this earth. I remember Barry’s easy smile and laconic manner that seemed to hover over his person. He was fun to be with and fun to be around. Fellow classmates regarded Barry with affection and respect. Please know he may be gone but not forgotten–even by those you may/will never meet. He left a mark.