Mr Alphonso Barker attended the St Theresa’s Convent High School and the St Kitts Nevis Grammar School. After leaving school he was well equipped to go out into the world of work.
His first employment was in the private sector at S L Horsford & Co. Ltd. His home at West Square Street was a household name as it was there in 1948 to 1952 the family’s radio transmitted the cricketing powers of our great West Indies Cricket Teams.
Al Barker participated admirably in cricket, football, table tennis and athletics. A lover of history, literature and music. He joined the Mutual Improvement Society (The “MIS”) founded in 1901 which taught its members the skills of conversation, debate and oratory. In due course he became President of this historic literary Institution located at Lower Market Street. It was there in 1937 that Marcus Garvey spoke on his visit to St Kitts. The MIS has played a leading role in the nurturing of outstanding St Kitts politicians, statesmen and professionals.
Al was also a founding member of the Endeavour Ballroom Dance Club in Basseterre and was at one time its principal Tutor and President and, not to mention, its finest ballroom dancer.
Al’s love of commerce and his devotion to the concept of private sector enterprise in the early 1960’s established a commercial business partnership of Barker and Kelly with Mr Kenneth Kelly. This partnership which lasted over four (4) decades included a shipping agency, supermarket and wines and spirits wholesalers. It was a business of the highest competitive quality, operated with efficiency and with a human face. It was a leader in the commercial field.
He served as President of the St Christopher Heritage Society, the 4H Advisory Council, Past President of the St Kitts Rotary Club, carnival band leader, captain and principal dancer of the Clown Band and later a principal Sponsor. Mr Barker is an outstanding citizen of our country.
TODAY WE PROUDLY SALUTE MR ALPHONSO BARKER FOR THE COMPANION OF THE STAR OF MERIT IN THE FIELD OF BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CULTURE
