It seems like just the other day we were catching up with Barrie Beck having a chat with him about his life and what he had been up to since his days at Arrow. So it was with great sadness that we heard the news from Barrie’s twin sister Evelyne that Barrie passed away 22nd January 2023.

When we last caught up with Barrie, he was battling yet another illness in his list of ‘unlucky’ health events throughout his life and was on regular visits to the hospital for dialysis for his kidneys. It appears that this illness was the ‘end of the line’ for Barrie as made famous by the Travelling Wibury’s song played at his memorial service on Monday.

Barrie’s memorial proved what we already knew about Barrie – he was a tough man, with a great sense of humour, a great approach to life and a generous heart. Barrie’s contribution to Arrow as a founding member of the charity in 1987 was recognised at the memorial including his dedication to raising funds in the hopes of finding a cure.

Barrie had a tough life when it came to health – he was diagnosed with cancer when he was 19, leukaemia when he was 39 and later on kidney failure at age 69. It was when Barrie was battling leukaemia at the age of 39 that he received a bone marrow transplant from his twin sister Evelyne and met a co-founding member of the Arrow charity Meredith, who visited his bedside whilst he received treatment at St Vincent’s Hospital. Evelyne generously donated her bone marrow which bought Barrie another 37 amazing years of life. Barrie joked that whilst grateful for the transplant, he wasn’t grateful for the now daily 3 a.m. toilet stops that he believe he inherited from his sister as part of the transplant!

It was Barrie’s outlook on life that got him through his toughest times. As Barrie’s grandchildren said, “Pop was strong and brave, and faced battles like a soldier.” His strong belief was that you just get on with it. You work hard. You don’t give up. If you wake up it is a lucky day. You put two feet on the ground and just go.

Today we remember Barrie, pass our condolences on to his family and friends, and thank him for all he did for Arrow and the funds and awareness he raised. We are remember Barrie’s legacy and hope his story can inspire others who may also be battling like a solider.