Tributes have poured in for Barry Albin-Dyer, who sadly passed away last weekend. Below are a selection of messages that were sent to the Southwark News from people who wished to pay tribute to the man called ‘Mr Bermondsey’.
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Jane O’Brien: “RIP Bermondsey’s finest. Jane x”
Mark Jarman: “In our times of grief he comforted us and made us feel better and the ones we had lost had a funeral befitting the finest in the land. Bermondsey will show how much we love and respect Barry and I hope his family and friends will find great comfort from what will be a very public showing of what he meant to us all.”
Lynne Galloghly: “Rest in peace, Sir, I am sure you will have a proper send off x”
Denis Cobell: “I am among the many who will miss Barry. I remember his kindness and thoughtfulness towards myself and colleagues from the local Humanist Funeral Celebrant network. Barry was most gracious in his comments although we had different philosophies. He was diplomacy itself in his book ‘Final Departures’, when he referred to our cooperation. My condolences go to his family and staff – this must be so difficult when confronting grief and bringing comfort to others is their whole life and work. I trust Barry’s talents and memory will carry them forward.”
Kelliher family: “Sorry for your bad news.”
Anita Agolini, Tracey Morgan and John Caddock (Grandfather of Jade Goody): “Barry Albin-Dyer completed his journey, his job was done. He touched the lives of everyone he ever met. We were privileged to have known him through the passing of many of our family members. His ability to support, comfort and shield the thousands of grieving people he met was invaluable. We have attended funerals that Barry was directing, from the most basic to the large public funeral of Jade Goody. He made each one personal and special and fitting. The essence of his spirit shines through in each of his boys. The love that he shared for everyone that walked into that office at the most tragic times of their lives, lives on in the hearts of Jackie and the rest of the team. Personally, I would like to share this memory with you all. In August 2012, I had the enormous responsibility of conducting a service for a family member. Barry took me in the the chapel before the procession started just to make go through some fine details. As we went back outside to meet the very large procession, he saw the ‘Oh My God’ look on my face. I looked at him with raised eyebrows, he stood beside me with that unforgettable warm reassuring smile, in full regalia, looked at me and said ‘You’ll be fine’. And with that he walked ahead of me ,took his place at the front of the procession and I knew from that moment that I would be. We will never forget the man that was a very special Angel sent to us to touch our lives in the special way that he did. An amazing teacher. His job in spirit will go on.”
Mark J Ashby: “As a cancer patient with secondary cancer, I was saddened to learn of Barry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and staff at this difficult time. I will treasure the letter Barry wrote to me wishing me well and praying for a recovery. Let the people of Bermondsey line the streets and give him the send off he truly deserves.”
Gary Valentine Fuller: “When I was a child, most kids wanted to be a footballer or a film star but I didn’t, I wanted to be like Barry Albin. Barry was a true gentleman with a heart of pure gold, he was a legend and an Inspiration. He was the absolute epitome of Undertaking and I consider it a great honour to of known him. Southwark have lost one of its very few treasures. My thoughts and prayers are with Barry’s Family and to all those who knew him. May he sleep in perfect peace.”
Councillor Ian Wingfield: “I would like to add my own tribute to Barry. Barry always reflected the ‘Best in Bermondsey’ and he was himself a fine example of the ‘Best from Bermondsey’. I have never meet before such a charming, humorous and self-effacing person as Barry. He was the perfect gentleman and ever strived to reflect and promote his local community. His own pride of who he was and where he came from was always apparent in everything he said and did. It was a great pleasure working alongside him on the Council’s Standards Committee when first established as he brought a down to earth approach to it. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him but his presence will live on with his family and firm. A great Southwark hero we should all be very proud of now and evermore.”
Rt. Rev Peter Maurice: “So sad to hear of Barry’s death today. As Vicar of Holy Trinity Rotherhithe from 1985 I had many dealings with Barry. He always went the extra mile to support and care for grieving families. Then, 3 years ago as Bishop of Taunton, I brought some colleague bishops to meet him to ‘see how funerals should be done.’ He was, as ever, generous in his hospitality and insightful in his comments. The folk of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe will miss him greatly.”
Warren Smith: “Such sad news about Barry Albin passing away. He was a true gentleman who will be remembered for ever . God bless you, Barry Albin- Dyer.”
Jacqueline O’Brien and family: “Gone but never forgotten.”
Jane (Allburry) Murrell: “My father helped you out from time to time and you looked after him and my mother when their time came. Not only them, but all of the Allbury family, the Johnsons and all Bermondsey people. Your kindness will always be remembered. God bless you and our thoughts are with your family.”
Brown family: “Barry conducted many of our family’s funerals with the utmost kindness and dedication which was second to none. Our beloved dad Bill Brown went to school with Barry’s dad. When our dad passed away in 2007 we had a horse drawn carriage to get to church for the service. Barry gathered my family together said ‘come with me’. He took us over Tower Bridge and back again, and also videoed it for our family to keep, before coming back to Dockhead church for the service. This was a marvellous thing as our dad was also a Bermondsey boy. When asked how he was doing, my dad would famously reply ‘up and down like Tower Bridge’. Barry also very kindly included pictures and dedicated a paragraph especially to our dad in his book. Barry was a great man well respected and will be sorely missed by Bermondsey. God Bless him.”
Emma Jenkins: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Barry Albin, Bermondsey was blessed to have him. Thinking of his family at this sad time. Rest in eternal peace, Barry, I’m certain there will be many waiting for you at the gates of heaven. Love Emma xxx”
Barbara: “So sad to hear the news. Such a lovely man. As warden at Harry Lamborn House, I have been to quite a few of the funerals he arranged. Always so respectful. Every one at Albins is so kind and helpful. It was not all about the money. RIP”
Gus Nicholls: “Barry will be sorely missed by so many of his colleagues in the funeral service around the world, not just London. He was an inspirational figure and justifiably so. A great man.”
Jack and Jill Webster: “RIP Barry Albin. Loved forever. Never to be forgotten.”
Tony Moorcroft: “Bermondsey has lost a giant of a man and a big part of its heart. Rest in peace, Barry. My thoughts are with Simon, Jon, Jackie and all the Albins family. It’s a big comfort to know that the Albins tradition is in safe hands with Simon and Jon. Love to you all at this very sad time.
Betty Wallace: “My condolences to Barry’s family. My son, David, worked and died with Barry’s funeral service. He gave my son the best funeral service anyone could ever want. We will miss Barry and his diary I always read. Rest in peace x”
Ballard family: “RIP Barry Albin, a great man with a big heart and always caring for others. You will be dearly missed by the people of Bermondsey but they will never forget you. Xx”
Brenda Blades: “My heart goes out to Barry’s family and his close friends. He will be sadly missed by everyone in Bermondsey who knew him. Barry and Jackie took care of me when my nephew died in 2005, I couldn’t ask for better people. Me and my family will never forget him as he gave my nephew a great funeral. Our love is with Jackie and her family.”
Loretta Allen: “Mr Albin and his sons buried my 21 year old son Nathan Allen in 2010. The dignity and care shown was second to none. Many thanks. I send all my love thoughts and sympathy to the whole family.”
Linda Cronin: “I never knew you personally but my brother did along with many of the Bermondsey people. RIP, Mr Bermondsey, may the angels welcome you and hold you in the arms. So sorry for the family’s loss xxxxx”
Chelsea Barton: “Barry was a true inspiration to Bermondsey. He comforted thousands of people and cared for them for years. If it wasn’t for this kind man, loads of people wouldn’t have had such a good send off. If it wasn’t for this man, I wouldn’t have had a good send off for my little girl in February this year. He always made sure he did everything he could for his community, now it’s time we all come together to show the world how much of a nice man he really was. Barry you will always be in my thoughts and prayers, along with your family. May you rest in peace, you’re now an angel along with all those other angels you did good for. I know you will still carry on to look after all those angels up in heaven. You will have the biggest halo up there waiting for you, but for now Barry, till we all meet you again, may you rest peacefully. Still can’t believe this sad loss, I was in tears when I saw he had passed. He was truly a good man, a true legend. RIP Barry Albin-Dyer.”
Millyleigh Ward, age 9: “May you now shine in heaven. You’re the biggest, brightest star watching over Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, just like you did on earth. You were such a friendly man that always had the biggest smile on his face. RIP, Barry xxx”
Karen Supple: “Today I was deeply saddened to hear of your passing. You truly are an inspiration to so many people. You were an amazing comfort to me when I lost my grandparents. You acted out of love and deeply cared. It was never just a job to you, you worked from the heart. You will be truly and deeply missed in Bermondsey. We’ve lost an amazing part of history, may you now take the journey that you’ve helped so many through. Rest in perfect peace, Barry Dyer, Bermondsey’s biggest star.”
To read Barry’s obituary in full click here
To read moving tributes paid to Barry click here
To read about the funeral details click here
To read about how Barry saved the Southwark News click here
Barry albin-dyer is a great man he done half of my family funerals and he done my mum’s funeral last year his son jon and simon was great my family always use albin when i met him last year he is a great guy to talk 2 and i got a kiss and a cuddle from him and i will never forget it i was so shocked when i head he passed away he be sadly missed by me and my family
RIP BARRY
GOD BLESS
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