In
the late 1920s, neighbor Harry
Wagner Jr. joined the Camden Fire Department, eventually rising
through the ranks to become Acting Chief of department in the late
1950s.
While
working as a wireworker, Albert Barker made the acquaintance of
John
Glazer, a fellow worker who was also a noted long distance runner in
Camden and the surrounding vicinity. Both men were teammates in the
mid-1930s on the Camden Y.M.C.A. cross country running team, of which
Glazer
was captain in 1935 and 1936..
Albert Edwin Barker was appointed to the Camden Fire Department
on July 15, 1942. He reported for duty the following day at
Engine Company 7
on Kaighn
Avenue. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows Albert Barker had
married, but listed no address for him and his wife Hilda. New homes
were built in the 300 block of
North 34th
Street within a few years of
the 1947 Directory's publication. By the fall of 1956 Albert and Hilda
Barker were living at 360
North 34th
Street. This would remain his
address for the rest of his days.
On
March 2, 1959 Albert Barker was transferred to
Engine Company
9 at North
27th and
Federal
Street in East Camden.
Albert Barker received a
special certificate form then Public Safety Director Bedell for the
rescue of three children from the second floor of 1141
North 26th
Street
on November 24, 1962.
Albert
Barker retired on pension from the Camden Fire Department on June 15,
1970. He died in November of that year, survived by his wife.
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