Barry Smith: Proud family man and friend to all

The sudden death of Barry Smith on July 9, shocked and saddened a wide cross section of the community he loved.

A much-loved husband, father and son and a friend to many, Barry’s life’s journey ended in a tragic car accident on a cold and rainy winter’s afternoon, 27km from Gunnedah on the Blue Vale Road.

Barry’s life revolved around his wife Vicki and daughters Maddie and Gabrielle, but the unexpected death of Maddie on March 17, 2016, at the age of 21, took a huge toll on him and the family.

Born Barry John Gerard Smith at the Numalong Hospital, Gunnedah, on January 10, 1962, he was the only child of Barry and June Smith.

Although he had no siblings, Barry never felt lonely, surrounding himself with neighbourhood kids, as well as playing cricket football, competition tennis and touch footy.

His father Barry was skilled in a variety of jobs and they family moved around as work took him to different properties in the district. Barry Snr also worked as a ganger on the railway and as a groundsman at Gunnedah airport. Barry Jnr was right in his element when they lived on a small farm on the Boggabri Road and he could have chickens which in turn gave him eggs to sell to friends.

Barry attended Gunnedah South Public School and Gunnedah High where he completed his education in Year 10. He always wanted to be a butcher but at the time there were no apprenticeships available so he took up a position at Coles Supermarket where he rose steadily through the ranks to assistant manager and then night fill manager. Baz, as he was affectionately known, worked in stores at Taree, Forster, Coonabarabran and Merewether in Newcastle, where he developed a love for the beach. Meanwhile, back in Gunnedah a young Vicki had started work at Coles at the age of 15 and in later years after Barry returned from Taree, their friendship and love grew with their first date at the Harvest Lodge restaurant. They took their vows in a garden wedding on January 26, 1991.

Their love for each other grew even more with the arrival of their daughter Maddie on July 19, 1994, followed by Gabby on October 30, 2000.

Barry was so proud of his girls and he loved nothing better than to take his family for beach holidays at Old Bar, near Taree. Wherever their travels took them, the beach had to be part of the of the occasion, even if the sun was not shining. He also loved to listen to good music, especially live performances and when the girls were older, he took Maddie and Gabby to see Lady Gaga, One Direction, Pink, Katy Perry, 5 Seconds of Summer and Shawn Mendes. It was not unusual for the fun-loving dad to be found in the mosh pit at a concert singing along with the crowd. Barry was a real ‘people person’ and he loved parties , both the company and the music. In recent years Barry and Gabby would spend time together listening to music when Vicki worked late.

Barry and his father were the best of mates and they often enjoyed a trip to Eastern Creek for the motorbikes or to Sydney for a football grand final. Baz also liked to help him out on the Boggabri Road farm.

In 2007, Barry secured a position as a car salesman at Gunnedah Toyota, a position he enjoyed but the death of his father in 2013 was a devastating blow. While grieving for his father he continued to look out for his Mum June.

The world turned upside down for the family as they struggled to come to terms with the death of their beautiful Maddie. As they all struggled with their grief, Gabby resolutely worked away at her schoolwork and Barry was so proud of her for achieving wonderful results in the Higher School Certificate, and of how she tackled a certificate course in childcare and embraced her job at Woolies, growing in confidence as her responsibilities increased.

Barry’s health problems began in 2018 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and following an operation to remove the cancer, he needed further surgery the following year to deal with the resulting incontinence. As the Covid 19 pandemic and lockdown took an emotional toll on everyone, Baz continued to “get up and show up” channelling the great work ethic he inherited from his Dad. In November 2021 he suffered a minor stroke known as a TIA and decided that it was time to reassess his life and retire from the workforce to deal with his growing health problems.

The family’s lives were once again shattered when they received news of Barry’s death and as they continue this painful journey together, Vicki and Gabby are grateful for the love and support of everyone around them.

The farewell service for the late Barry Smith conducted by Fr John McHugh at the Edlen Chapel on July 24, was followed by interment next to his daughter Maddie at Gunnedah Memorial Park.

Barry is survived by his wife Vicki, daughter Gabby and his mother June.