The 15th of October 1944. Less than a year before the end of the second World War and the man who you are all proud to call
your father, father-in-law, cousin, relative or friend was born to parents Dolly and Jim. The family lived in a cottage which opened onto the pavement in New Street in Andover and Barry, an only child attended New Street School and then Andover Grammar School. His cousin Mavis, who, six years his senior, was present at his birth and would come and look after him during the school holidays. The cottage was next door to the Pelican pub and his bedroom backed onto the stables. One of his earliest memories was listening to the rats through the wall.

Barry left school at 16 and within six months was working for Hampshire County Council, latterly Andover Borough Council as 
a payroll and eventually accounts manager. Apart from a year in Southampton he lived in Andover all of his life. He was well 
known in the town. Barry met and married Anne and they had their much longed for daughter Erika. As part of that relationship, Barry then also got to know and play a part in the lives of Erika's brothers Roger and John. He held a great affection for both boys and that love, and relationship lasted throughout his life. Although Anne and Barry divorced during the 1980's, it is a 
testament to the characters of them both that they maintained a good friendship which lasted until Barry's passing and I know 
Anne is here today and is also mourning his loss deeply'.

He always worked hard to provide for his family and whilst working he was a very smart and particular man who took much pride in himself. In the late 1990’s when he was 57 or 58, he took early retirement, but continued to carry out part time bookkeeping 
for local businesses. He worked part time as a taxi driver and also worked as an electoral registration officer. He also assisted Test Valley Retirement Association, organising their social trips, when he would prepare a quiz for the journey. Additionally, he acted as Secretary for over 10 years. He was a great organiser of events and had a huge community spirit. He liked getting involved and was a supporter of anything local. He would assist at every Jubilee party, fancy dress or local street party – and was a big giver to charity. He was also a part of a weekly card school with his neighbours.

He was also a big animal lover, particularly of cats. He would keep 4-6 at any one time and take in the waifs and strays. His 
house became a sort of cat hotel – they would adopt him. His neighbours were very patient! His house though, was often an unfinished project. He loved a project – but would make it hard work for himself, he would never get anyone in to do the job for him and consequently nothing ever quite got finished!

His cousin Mavis recalled that Barry was not a drinker and so when he did have a drink it affected him quickly. They had an 
Aunt who made her own wine and at a party Barry once got very drunk on her black grape wine – he couldn’t walk and was out of it for 3 or 4 days. He would also babysit with his uncle Jack – who taught him how to play chess and when the parents returned from their night out at bingo it was to find their babysitter somewhat the worse for wear!

Barry had enjoyed a life of good health and so the diagnosis of heart failure a couple of years ago came as a shock. He was fitted with a pacemaker and a defibrillator and had been enjoying the road to recovery since then. A broken leg resulted in 9 months in a cast, a period of being unable to drive and a man who became a grumpy old bugger! The next 18 months was a struggle. He had come out of plaster, but Covid restricted him doing things. In the last 6 months he was becoming more positive and was 
looking forward to returning to New Street to watch the football.

Barry passed away peacefully, at home, in his sleep, a huge shock to his family but in the kindest way to lose him. I know that he will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew him and by all those whose lives he touched.