Peter Ray Barkley's Obituary
Peter Ray Barkley Sr., 90, was born on August 1st, 1930 in Moruga, Trinidad to Alvarita Lezama and Charles Alleyne Barkley. Surrounded by family, he passed on Thursday, October 15th, 2020 at Largo Medical Hospital in Largo, Florida. Peter is survived by his 5 siblings, John Barkley (94), Elizabeth John (86), Cornelia Julien (84), and Dorothy George (80), as well as his six children, nineteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Peter and his late wife, Jean J. Barkley, were married on July 7th, 1968, in Trinidad, WI. As an indication of their love and devotion, together they gave life to six children. Three daughters, Kathleen Ann Lintoy Kirkland, Grace Allison Suelan Barkley, Alvarita Lauren Yuklin Barkley-Forde. And three sons, Peter Ray Choy Barkley Jr., Charles Gordon Achoy Barkley, and Gerard Arthur Awing Barkley. In 1988, their family moved to the United States to begin the next chapter of their lives. Before settling in America, Peter worked faithfully for 34+ years as a store clerk/cashier/supervisor at Hi-Lo St. Augustine, today renamed Massy Store. While in the US, Peter worked as a dishwasher, before retiring as a school crossing guard for the City of Orange School District.
Peter, or “Papa” as many of his friends, family, and loved ones called him, lived a long, loving, and dynamic life. At parties, Papa was almost always dancing in the middle of the dance floor or sitting amongst family with his homemade bass between his legs, adding much-needed instrumentals to any song played. If he wasn’t making music with found objects, Papa was either taking and recording videos or whipping some concoction up in the kitchen. He was a giving man. Always willing to share a piece of himself, whether it be something he found, made, or thought, with those around him. It did not matter if you were blood, Papa treated everyone as his own.
With all the lessons Papa has instilled in us, his steadfast reliance has taught us all the meaning of longevity and family. His legacy will forever live in the hearts and memories of his loved ones. He leaves to cherish his sweet memories, his nineteen grandchildren: Ribah, Kyla, Selah, Paul Charles Jr., Achoy, Dakota, Jordan, Kaitlin, Jade, Cyntoria, Cynkoy, Peter Aidan III, Zion, Suelan, Kien, Kaiden, Avery, Grace Charley, and Liam. Three great-grandchildren, Riley, Kaleia, and Kai. And ten in-laws Paul Sr., Charles, Chris, Tricia, Tamara, Erin, Rochelle, Aileen, Tony, and Kaira.
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