Barry Frank Underhill. 1937-2020
Stepdad to Sharon and Garrie, & Grandad to Jack, George, Grant, Nathan, Sam And Ella
Barry was born 10th October 1937, at home in Slade Green Erith. This is where his Mum and Dad lived with his Grandmother who played an important part of his life growing up, after his parents divorced. He continued to live with his Grandmother who looked after him, when his Dad re-married and his Mum moved to America.
After leaving school Barry had various office jobs in London and surrounding areas. Then joining the RAF as Military Police. To next becoming a driving instructor and then working for the CEGB in London which was when Barry came into mine and Garrie’s lives after meeting Mum and then getting married in 1988, where they continued to live in Slade Green, Erith for a few years before moving to New Ash Green, where Barry changed his job to become a Courier delivery driver for a local company and also a taxi driver.
Barry enjoyed his sports growing up, especially Golf at Mid Kent Golf club where he played to an incredible level of golf, which was reflected in his low handicap. His other sports he enjoyed were playing squash & playing pool, as well as watching Formula 1.
He had a love of Harley Davidson motorbikes also MG cars, he had one when he met mum… a green one if I remember?
Barry’s favourite drinks were Jim Beam and a good red wine which was a “tradition” for him to knock a glass full over at the Christmas dinner table, he always said he was clumsy.
His favourite dish we remember him making was a tasty spaghetti bolognaise and was also great at a creamy mash potato.
In 1995 Barry had a heart attack which changed Mum & Barry’s lives and they then moved up to Suffolk. After recovering from his heart attack Barry became an Electric Meter reader which he enjoyed very much getting out in all sorts of weather and seeing some lovely places on his travels.
After retiring at 70, His and Mums love of dogs was truly a big a part of their lives and at one point owning three. They enjoyed their daily walks up in the forest and knew most of the paths and he also enjoyed the occasional game of golf.
After mums passing in 2013, Barry never got over his loss and seemed “lost” but the love of his dog Tia helped him get through this tough time.
After a couple of previous “scares” on the 18th January 2020, Barry was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and then to find out that he needed a triple heart bypass which took place at Papworth hospital on the 2nd March.
His recovery was slow as you can imagine of being 82years old, but was he getting stronger slowly but surely whereby he was then moved back to Ipswich hospital.
After recovering from his heart operation slowly things were starting to look positive with talks of him returning home, this lifted Barry’s spirits up and was mostly upbeat during his time in hospital.
On 6th April at 6.30 am, sadly Barry passed away as he had contracted the coronavirus (Covid-19) This is so sad as all he wanted to do was get back home.
He was a strong and sensitive person and I will miss my regular cups of tea and custard tart with him when I called in to visit him.
I hope you all have a special occasion or memory that you each have of Barry and wish him peace now that he is with his beloved wife Shirley, our Mum.
Sleep well.
Sharon, Garrie & Family
XX
Barry Frank Underhill. 1937-2020
Stepdad to Sharon and Garrie, & Grandad to Jack, George, Grant, Nathan, Sam And Ella
Barry was born 10th October 1937, at home in Slade Green Erith. This is where his Mum and Dad lived with his Grandmother who played an important part of his life growing up, after his parents divorced. He continued to live with his Grandmother who looked after him, when his Dad re-married and his Mum moved to America.
After leaving school Barry had various office jobs in London and surrounding areas. Then joining the RAF as Military Police. To next becoming a driving instructor and then working for the CEGB in London which was when Barry came into mine and Garrie’s lives after meeting Mum and then getting married in 1988, where they continued to live in Slade Green, Erith for a few years before moving to New Ash Green, where Barry changed his job to become a Courier delivery driver for a local company and also a taxi driver.
Barry enjoyed his sports growing up, especially Golf at Mid Kent Golf club where he played to an incredible level of golf, which was reflected in his low handicap. His other sports he enjoyed were playing squash & playing pool, as well as watching Formula 1.
He had a love of Harley Davidson motorbikes also MG cars, he had one when he met mum… a green one if I remember?
Barry’s favourite drinks were Jim Beam and a good red wine which was a “tradition” for him to knock a glass full over at the Christmas dinner table, he always said he was clumsy.
His favourite dish we remember him making was a tasty spaghetti bolognaise and was also great at a creamy mash potato.
In 1995 Barry had a heart attack which changed Mum & Barry’s lives and they then moved up to Suffolk. After recovering from his heart attack Barry became an Electric Meter reader which he enjoyed very much getting out in all sorts of weather and seeing some lovely places on his travels.
After retiring at 70, His and Mums love of dogs was truly a big a part of their lives and at one point owning three. They enjoyed their daily walks up in the forest and knew most of the paths and he also enjoyed the occasional game of golf.
After mums passing in 2013, Barry never got over his loss and seemed “lost” but the love of his dog Tia helped him get through this tough time.
After a couple of previous “scares” on the 18th January 2020, Barry was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and then to find out that he needed a triple heart bypass which took place at Papworth hospital on the 2nd March.
His recovery was slow as you can imagine of being 82years old, but was he getting stronger slowly but surely whereby he was then moved back to Ipswich hospital.
After recovering from his heart operation slowly things were starting to look positive with talks of him returning home, this lifted Barry’s spirits up and was mostly upbeat during his time in hospital.
On 6th April at 6.30 am, sadly Barry passed away as he had contracted the coronavirus (Covid-19) This is so sad as all he wanted to do was get back home.
He was a strong and sensitive person and I will miss my regular cups of tea and custard tart with him when I called in to visit him.
I hope you all have a special occasion or memory that you each have of Barry and wish him peace now that he is with his beloved wife Shirley, our Mum.
Sleep well.
Sharon, Garrie & Family
XX
