Family and friends bid fond farewell to ‘generous’ Barry

Barry Kirkham, 47, was with friends after attending the funeral of friend John Chandler and was on his way to Wetherspoons in St Annes at around 11pm on July 22 when he suffered a head injury outside Zeko’s on Park Road.

Despite attempts to revive him he died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

On Tuesday, around 150 family and friends gathered at Lytham Crematorium, Regent Avenue for his funeral service.

Barry’s brother Craig said: “It was a lovely service and the turnout was really impressive. People were even standing outside.

“There were family, friends and Barry’s colleagues from Tesco and Kwiksave where he had worked before. His friend David Lamb said a few words about life with Barry through the years.

“People have described Barry as a bit of a gentle giant. He was a big guy, but he was big on his friends, big on generosity, big on intelligence and now he has left a big hole in all our lives.

“He was a great brother. I have lived away for some years but I have great memories of growing up with Barry, of going to the football with him.”

He said Barry had always been a stalwart Blackpool FC fan, he was a shareholder in the FY8 minibus which takes season ticket holders around the country to away matches, and he also followed horse racing.

After the service at Lytham Crematorium, which was led by Rev Alan Drake, friends and family went back The Links pub on Heeley Road, St Annes.

Barry leaves mum Christine, brothers Craig and David and sisters Sandra and Susie. Barry, of Walter Avenue, StAnnes, was a former pupil of Ansdell Secondary School, now Lytham St Annes Technology College, and worked at the Tesco store on Kilnhouse Lane where he was described by colleagues as a most reliable, trustworthy and loyal member of staff and a loving, generous friend.

Rev Alan Drake, said it was clear how Barry was held in high regard.

He said: “Everyone had a good word for Barry. It was a simple service we came in to The Lord’s My Shepherd and we went out to one of Barry’s favourites Hey Rock and Roll by Showaddywaddy. When that came on everyone went Yeah!

“Apparently Barry used to sing it at work and so that was great.”

The police investigation into the incident outside Zeko’s has been concluded with no one charged over the incident.

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