Today we are here to celebrate the life of Barry.

Barry was a husband, father, a ‘bampy’ and friend, his family was everything to him. He kissed Sue every time they were parted, and again when he returned. He always told her he loved her.
Sue, Barry, Emma and Connor moved to Grantham to be closer to Rachel and Amy, a decision made and put into place within a week Sue told me, a move that they never regretted making.

Barry was described to me as very loving, caring and supportive, he would help anyone, generous and thoughtful.
Barry was really well thought of by everyone he met always making a big impression, proven today by the number of people who have travelled great distance to share this time with us and the many, many cards Sue has told me she has received.
Barry was everything that was good about someone, he had even left a message for Sue to be given to her after his death. She has found letters and treasured items from when they very first met all kept by Barry.
Barry had a dry sense of humour, quiet, mild mannered but always up for a laugh - even this last christmas as ill as he was he still dressed up as a ‘Sheriff for Christmas’ keeping up the family traditions.
Barry was also strong willed and determined, it is these traits which have kept him with the family he loved as long as he possibly could, Barry fought until the end.

Barry was a strong character and will be missed by everyone who knew and met for many years to come.

Barry was born on the 26th May, 1950 in Port Talbot, South Wales to Rose and Eddie, he had a older/younger?? sister Rosemary.

Once Barry left school at 16 years old he immediately joined the RAF as an Apprentice Supplier having tours in RAF Brugge,Germany, Stafford and Hereford to name a few.
He was awarded the AOC Commendation - Air Officer Commanding during his service.
barry was also a member of the RAFA and an Air Training Core Officer, he retired in 1980 and set up a Painting Contracting Business.
Barry and Sue met in August 1982, it was love at first sight at a RAF Training Core Camp - literally! Their first date was to a function for the Training Core in Port Talbot where there was a big firework display, talking to her about this time Sue voice was really uplifted - lovely memories for her.

They married just six months later on the 26th February 1983 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Haverford West. They bought their first house at Port Talbot and spent their honeymoon decorating it.
Rachel was born there in 1984, and the three of them moved to Haverford West the following year.

In 1987 twins Amy and Emma came along and completed the family. Their home was surrounded by woodland and had a stream at the end of the garden. Barry built them bridges over the stream, he made them a den and build a kitchen for the girls to play in - complete with all Sues pots and pans.
They had holidays away in the caravan and he would always be out on his bike with them.
Thursday was always swimming night for the five of them.

Sue told me Barry would have loved to stay at home with the girls everyday if he had been able too.
It sounds like Barry and Sue gave their girls an idyllic and wonderful childhood, full of good memories of them all, which can never be taken away.

As I said previously Rachel and Amy had settled in Grantham so Barry, Sue, Emma and Connor relocated and joined them there in …………….
It was in 1995 that Barry’s health first began to decline, when he was diagnosed with diabetes, however he continued to live his life to the full until 2012 which is when his health began to decline a little faster, but life continued for the family managing Barry’s health around it.

Until last July when Barry was admitted to ICU, but he fought back and returned home although he now had to make trips to Nottingham 3 times a week for dialysis, which was a full days job with the travelling time tiring for even a very fit person.
Again in November Barry was readmitted to hospital but returned home for Christmas on the 20th December, followed by another admission on the 29th December.

It was during one of these stays at the side of Barry’s bed, that Dave asked Amy to marry him, with her sisters the other side of the curtain.

Emma and Dean had planned to marry in August of this year but as Barry’s health declined they moved their wedding day to April the 8th, hoping that Barry would still be able to share it with them. Sadly, this is not to be, but Barry will be in everyones hearts and memories so he will still be part of their special day - if not in the way everyone had hoped.

Barry returned home to his family, for the final time on the 4th February, where he died very peacefully in Sue’s arms, while holding Amy and Emma’s hands, aged 67 years old.