Barry Wilcon Reynolds

Barry Wilcon Reynolds, the eldest child of Barry and Marie Reynolds passed away on the 28th April at the age of 82. Barry was proud to say that he was born in Cape Town at the bottom of Table Mountain on the 5th October 1935. His first school year was spent at Saint Cyprians which he delighted in telling people was a girl’s school, only then letting on that the first year was co-ed.

He matriculated from Rondebosch Boys High School with an adventurous spirit and a zest for life. This is where he entered the insurance industry in which he spent 57 years of loyal service. His irrepressible nature saw him and Tony strike out together in their early twenties on a friendship journey which lasted 73 years and began with them taking a Union Castle Lines ship to seek their fortunes in the United Kingdom before touring Europe for 6 months with 3 Australian girls they met through the Visitors club in the UK.

Barry moved on to Australia with Margret, the couple were blessed with two boys, Peter and Timothy. Barry was a firm and protective father wishing the very best for his family. His ambition for his sons was that they would be successful in life no matter what they decided for their professions. He was devastated by the untimely death of his eldest son Peter which haunted him through the rest of his life. No matter where in the world Barry was, he remained in touch with his daughter-in-law Alison Brown who continues Peter’s animal clinic legacy.

Barry accepted a six month assignment to South Africa in 1989. This brought him back “home” to South Africa where he was able to spend quality time with his sister Margot and brother Mike, who he adored, whenever he was able to travel to Cape Town. It was on this part of his journey that he met and married Diane in 1996.

Barry was always the elegantly dressed ultimate gentleman who was very proper in his dealings with others. He was a tough minded perfectionist who expected the highest standards of himself and others who he associated with. He loved to share his knowledge and interests with other people and always had someone under his wing as a mentor.

His friendships often began as business relationships which began on a hand shake where his word was firm. He expected the highest standard of performance from his suppliers and when this was delivered, would later develop into a lasting and loyal friendship. Barry never forgot his friends no matter where he was in the world.

Barry’s great loves in life were property development and motorcars. His building projects whether commercial or domestic were always completed on time and within budget. He loved nothing more than to negotiate a deal for a new motorcar which would be kept in immaculate condition until he spotted a new model and he would either sell his existing low mileage car to a friend or trade it in as part of the negotiated deal.

Barry joined Diane after her transfer to the United States in 2012 after retiring from work at age 75. He volunteered as a helper at the Virginia Arlington local hospital where his friendly smile and caring personality made him popular with staff and patients. His humorous one liner’s always brought a smile or laugh to others even when he was in a scary place himself as his health began to fail.

People from far and wide have expressed their sadness for having lost him, which I am sure that everyone who knew him will have felt. But I also know that he wouldn’t want us to feel sad. He was always kind and considerate toward others and would have asked us to celebrate whatever had brought us into contact with him on his journey through life.

So I leave a message for everyone today at this last farewell to a very special man. Feel joy that you were privileged to have shared his life with him, celebrate his time on earth with us, and take comfort that he is now at peace. We just all say goodbye with love to our dear friend, loving brother and uncle, and adored husband Barry.