8 March 2015

FAREWELL TO AN OLD FRIEND

Barrie2

Barrie Fairhead passed away yesterday, 7th March.

It was a chance meeting in the village square with Barrie in August 2007 that spurred us on to buying the little house in Le Grand-Pressigny.  We were dithering and he encouraged and supported us through the buying process and the early years.  If we hadn’t met, the moment would have passed and we might not be living in this lovely part of France now.

Barrie was a great character and a good friend, a warm hearted Yorkshireman and he loved his life in France.  Our lives were enriched by knowing him and we will miss him.

12 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear he has died. I only met him a couple of times. I only ever heard good things about him and he was obviously good company.

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  2. R.I.P Barrie...
    you were a truly gentle man...
    marvellous support to us, too...
    advice freely given...
    laughs frequently accompanied our chats...
    what are the brocantes and vide greniers do now, eh!
    You loved life, you loved people...
    you will leave a hole in many lives in this part of France.
    It was a pleasure to have known you...
    thanks.
    T&P

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    1. Thanks Tim, for a lovely tribute.
      That's exactly how we feel too. Barrie was one of life's stars and knowing him changed our lives permanently for the better. He would have brushed off such tributes in true Yorkshire style but it is the truth.

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  3. Words at times like this one are often lame and useless; I can only say I am sorry for your loss and am glad to know you/he had love.

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  4. Amazing how much someone like Barrie can change so many lives for the better. What more fitting tribute or legacy can there be?

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  5. He carried his illness very bravely, in true gritty Yorkshire tradition. A fine man. Good speed, Barrie. Pauline

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  6. So sorry to hear this. I enjoyed meeting Barrie and having a glass of wine together at yor place in LGP. RIP.

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  7. Hello everyone, I'm Barrie's son and it's wonderful to read your comments.
    Seeing them has made me happy, proud and sad in equal measure.
    He was a real gent and I'll miss him greatly.
    His funeral is near Tours on Thursday if anyone can make it.
    Raise a glass to him regardless. I'm sure he'd appreciate it, Brad

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    1. Pauline and I thought that the ceremony was a wonderful way to say "Fare well" to Barrie...
      and we didn't have any Timothy Taylor's in the house...
      so I made a pseudo RamTam... using Mather's Black Beer in a pale ale... and raised that!!
      He'll not go from our thoughts... he advised us to do certain things here which we followed... they will always be visible!

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  8. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Jean. He sounds like a wonderful person.

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  9. OH... I am very sad that he has died... he was always very kind, supportive and knowledgeable. I didn't know he was ill. I lost contact with him about four years ago. So so sad... Rif

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