The Rev. H. Russell Barker, 76, rector emeritus of St. Matthias Church, East Aurora, NY, died May 28.

Fr. Barker was born in Newport, RI. He was a graduate of Brown University in 1942, and attended Episcopal Theological School. He was ordained priest in 1944. He served the Church of the Incarnation, New York City, St. James', Ft. Edward, and Zion, Hudson Falls, NY, St. Simon's, South Buffalo, and was rector of St. Matthias Church, East Aurora, NY, from 1958 until his retirement in 1982. He was a deputy to General Convention in 1958 and 1973. Fr. Barker is survived by his wife, Gay Daniels Barker, and a son, H. Russell Barker, Jr., of Virginia Beach, VA.