From the eulogy read by Gary Schultz, Barry's son-in-law.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Barry was born Barry Oswald Nash in Forbes in 1932.
At the age of seven he moved to the small town of Eugowra with his parents Lesley and Janet and siblings Rex and Joan. He attended the Eugowra Public School and was also a keen boy scout.
He learned the violin at an early age and had a real passion for music, so much that at a young age he was given some money whilst in Sydney to go to the store and buy some shoes but returned to his family with a trumpet, they weren't happy but he kept the trumpet.
After leaving school he became an apprentice mechanic and did some study at General Motors Holden in Sydney.
When back in Eugowra he found the love of his life, Kathleen Mulligan. They married young in 1954 and settled in Eugowra into a house Barry helped build and named El Dorado. They had five children there: Paul, Greg, Marianne, Martin and Helen.
He went on to open and partner a business, a mechanics garage where his skill in fixing cars and farm machinery became well known in the district. Barry was a dedicated voluntary fire fighter and was recognised and commended by the NSW Fire Brigade for his long service as Deputy Fire Captain, a position he held for over 25 years.
In 1947 he was part of a home grown orchestra band called Blougowra Band and that grew into The Tone Kings Orchestra with family members. The band travelled the district entertaining people with their catchy music at dances and balls.
From that Barry became a member of Sweet Sherry Stompers a much loved and respected jazz band. For 30 years he played The Last Post at the annual Eugowra Anzac Service, a lovely lasting memory for his family.
In 1976 Barry and family moved to Parkes where they purchased the Shell service station. Whilst in Parkes Barry, Kathleen and good friend Bernie Crow founded the Central West Jazz Club which became popular and well known as well as their Jazz Tritium's with marches down the main street at Parkes.
In 1986 Barry and Kathleen moved to Port Macquarie to be close to their children. It was while settled here they owned a dry cleaners and lived on site at the family fun park known as Peppermint Park. Here they leased and ran the coffee and souvenir shops. Their children worked there, also including me in the summers.
It was a bit like Faulty Towers at first, till we learned how to feed a hungry crowd and how to make proper milk shakes and cook hot chips. Barry spent the days running the souvenir shop and was chief nanny to his young granddaughters Jasmine and Melody in there.
Barry and Kathleen loved fishing and they could be found at North Haven or local beaches enjoying this past time. They often took their grandchildren on their fishing trips. They didn't get much fishing in, as they were busy baiting or detangling the grandkids lines. They never complained they loved having time with them and there was often ice creams on the way home.
Barry was blessed with a beautiful singing voice but was also well known for his amazing green thumb, he produced the most beautiful colourful flowers including the most stunning roses. His garden brimmed with all sorts and types of vegetables, which his family appreciated a constant supply of.
Barry and Kathleen retired whilst still living in Port Macquarie. They spent their time helping out and babysitting the grand kids, travelling, volunteer work, fishing, gardening and enjoying family time.
Barry lived a long and fulfilled life, loved his family, was a quiet-natured, happy, genuine caring man who was so loved and will be so missed by his wife, children, family, grandchildren, Angela, Karen, Toby, Nathan, Naaman, Jasmine, Melody, Timothy, Bob, Kate, Jacob and Ashley. He also enjoyed spending time with his great grandchildren Connor, Freya, Maeve, Brayden, Callan, Alba, and Duke, Lacy, Sonny and Kyuss.
He showed us all how to grow old with dignity, kindness and patience, a sense of humour and his smiling eyes. His gentle spirit will live on in our hearts forever.
I will finish now with a favourite saying of Barry's, "If my brother was here, he would thank you too".
