SH 1954 - 1960
Word has reached us of the sad news that Barry White passed away recently (date unconfirmed). He was aged 78. Our thoughts and best wishes go to those who knew him well.
A former Mayor of Lichfield who helped raise thousands of pounds for local good causes has died aged 78. Barry White served as Mayor of the city in 2003 and was twice president of the Lichfield Lions Club. He also served as a Conservative member of Lichfield City Council. Barry was born in the village of Wickham, Hampshire, on September 9, 1941. His father Leonard was a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy while his mum, Ella, worked as shorthand typist for the Government. At the age of six Barry went with his parents and sisters, Hilary and Leonie, to live in Hong Kong where his father was stationed and his mum went on to run an advertising agency. When he was 13 Barry went to boarding school, Wycliffe College near Stroud, in Gloucestershire. From there he went to Bristol University to study chemistry, physics and maths and did his PHD at Manchester in Electrochemistry. In 1964/5 he had spent a year in Teddington Lock doing research for the Ministry of Defence, who then seconded him to Manchester to work on “coating cadmium on to titanium” for the nose-cones of space rockets. It was there that he met his wife Audrey. Barry’s career took him to South Africa where he worked on improving the method of gold and titanium extraction from the mines there. He stayed there for more than 12 years before a spell In Wales and a move to Lichfield. He was later employed in damage management. When a building was flooded or hit by fire and needed cleaning or drying Barry was brought in as a consultant. Barry had no children of his own but was stepfather to a boy, Peter, and a girl, Judith. In 2003 Barry was appointed the Mayor of Lichfield and served the city admirably. When he was younger Barry played golf but his sister Hilary said he was more interested in learning than sport. Latterly he enjoyed watching quiz shows on television. “He was incredibly intelligent,” said Hilary, who noted that her brother had 53 letters after his name. “He liked using his brain more than anything physical. I loved him very much – he was always gentle nice and understanding and never got angry. He was a lovely person.” Nick Lamb, President of the Lichfield Lions, said: “Barry has been a Lions member for 46 years. He was a lovely guy – hands on and very supportive. ”Barry’s friend David Jailler told the Mercury: “I knew Barry since 2014 – we enjoyed each other’s company. He was a very intelligent fellow, a doctor of science. I will miss him.” A celebration of Barry’s life will be held at The George Hotel in Lichfield’s Bird Street on Saturday, January 11, at 2.30pm.
Taken from: Lichfield Mercury, Thursday 2nd January 2020
By Andy Kerr (News Reporter)
