David BarryEVANSKnown to all as Barry, died peacefully in his sleep at home on 12th December 2021 at the age of 84. Barry was born in Liverpool in 1937 and spent an exciting childhood in the city during the war growing up alongside his sister Moira and brother Brian. Summer holidays were spent in Llangollen, his father's family town, a place always dear to his heart. After attending St. Francis Xavier's School, he became a chartered surveyor and very quickly showed the entrepreneurial spirit that would define his life, establishing a chain of estate agents across Liverpool, Barry Evans & Partners. At 23 he met Ann, the love of his life, and began their married life that would last 60 years. Although a city boy at heart, Barry and his family moved to the countryside to Willington, in Cheshire. Here, he was very much involved in the local community, enjoying the friendship of Round Table and being instrumental in campaigning to keep Tarporley hospital open in the 1980s. Dividing his time between Cheshire and Liverpool, Barry loved his home city. He was a loyal Evertonian, supporting the Toffees all his life, and sharing their highs and lows with his sons - even accommodating James' poor judgement when choosing another team by buying season tickets for both Liverpool clubs! He was a valued and active member of the Rotary Club of Liverpool where he was club president for an unprecedented two terms of service. Following on from this position, he took on the role of International Officer, forming lasting overseas friendships that would span decades, and later on in life, whilst a member of Nantwich Rotary Club, Barry was specially honoured to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for his philanthropic work and contributions to Rotary ideals. In the course of his professional life in Liverpool, he would be involved with charitable housing associations, the Chinese Community and he was pleased to have the opportunity to showcase these projects to the Prime Minister of the time, Harold Wilson- a fellow pipe smoker. From the 1980s, Barry spent most of his working life in London, returning to his Cheshire family home at the weekend. His London city life as a property consultant was fast paced, exhilarating and never mundane, and the international element continued as he worked alongside Swedes, Cypriots and Baha'is; work which he found rewarding and satisfying on all fronts. Throughout his long life, Barry enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and all corners of the world, and he felt enriched and privileged to have the opportunities he had later in life. Life was not always plain sailing but given Barry's resilient and resourceful character, he found opportunity at every turn of his fortunes and with the support of kind friends, turned his life around, rising as a phoenix. The crematoria and cemetery businesses, such as New Southgate, that he owned and invested in were successful but, equally as important, they also gave him the chance to make new friends, visit pastures new and have fresh and diverse experiences. In particular, his business trips and partnerships in the USA gave him a new lease of life as he found the American go-getting, can-do attitude very similar to his own positive take on life. Barry loved life, loved his family and friends and was generous to a fault, always finding more pleasure in giving than receiving. One of his personal proudest achievements and a source of great pleasure was the foundation of his and Ann's charitable trust and the establishment of Charlotte's Haven on Earth in Kathmandu in memory of his daughter, Charlotte. Knowing that he was making a difference to their adopted grandchildren's lives made them very happy. Over the last few years, Barry and Ann enjoyed travelling all over the world, but, true to form, Barry never really retired and was happiest when imagining new projects and making future plans. Despite serious challenges to his own health, he continued to care for Ann until the very end, always kind, always loving and patient. A truly remarkable and creative man with a strong social conscience, a modern outlook on life and a love of all things new even in his 80s. Barry was a witty, dapper gentleman with his own colourful style who made you smile and charmed all he met. A real English gentleman as his overseas friends would say. He will be remembered forever by his wife Ann, children Kate, James and Richard and his thirteen grandchildren, and by his family and friends. Barry's funeral will take place at Vale Royal Crematorium at 1pm on 4th January 2022 with a live stream provided for those who can't make the service in person. A wider celebration of his life, in keeping with Barry's pedigree, will be held in the summer with further details to follow. Barry's son, James, can be contacted on 07973218341 or [email protected]. Donations to be shared between Dementia UK and MSF. For all enquires please contact Jacqueline Wilson Independent Funeral Services Hill View, High Street, Clotton, Tarporley Tel: 01829 781572
