Tributes for Cyril whose life was ‘shaped by kindness, loyalty, and service’
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved Melton Mowbray man who continued to volunteer up until he passed away aged 82.
A funeral service for Cyril Barnes will be held at the town’s St Mary’s Church at 12 noon on October 16, followed by cremation at Grantham and a wake at the Age UK Gloucester House in Melton.
A eulogy to be read at the funeral sums up Cyril’s life as being ‘shaped by kindness, loyalty, and service’.
He was born in wartime in 1944 in Great Yarmouth, the youngest of eight children in a hard-working family.
Cyril experienced loss early when his sister tragically died aged just three and later his father passed away when Cyril was only seven.
Despite these hardships, he grew up surrounded by strong family bonds and formed a lifelong friendship with Jimmy Ellis in the street he grew up in, went to school with and worked with and who remained by his side throughout his life.
Cyril trained as a plasterer, completing a five-year apprenticeship and became a master of ornate plasterwork.
His skills took him into stately homes and earned him a reputation for craftsmanship.
During his early years he met Ann, who was on holiday in Yarmouth.
They married at St Mary’s Church in 1968 and built a life rooted in love, teamwork, and care for Ann’s parents.
Cyril worked in the building industry, then at Holwell Works, and later delivered furniture for Portess, in Melton.
He continued plastering for friends and neighbours - often refusing payment as he felt friendship was worth more than money.
After leaving Portess, Cyril and Ann set up a successful plastering and decorating business together and were well known around the town.
His heart for service led him to volunteer with Age UK, WRVS, Meals on Wheels, and the local mobile library.
He received awards recognising his dedication, including the North East Diamond Volunteer of the Year and the WVS Long Service Medal.
Life brought deep sorrow when Ann’s cancer returned and she passed away in 2007.
Cyril retired from plastering but continued volunteering, giving his time to support elderly and vulnerable people in Melton Mowbray.
Even after his own cancer diagnosis, Cyril lived with quiet determination, far outliving his prognosis.
He found joy in his routines - visiting the Corals and Ladbrokes bookmakers’, enjoying breakfast at QD and chatting with friends at the Air Ambulance charity superstore, The Hanger.
Friends say that Cyril ‘helped others not for recognition, but because it brought him joy. He leaves behind a legacy of friendship and compassion’.
The team at The Hanger described Cyril as ‘one of our much beloved customers’.
They said: “Many Of our regulars will know Cyril, and over the years he has become like family to us – calling in nearly every day, supporting our charity, and giving us all laughs, and hugs.
"He will be very dearly missed by all of us at the Hanger, and our thoughts go out to all his family and friends also. He will always be a part of our Hanger family.”
Cyril had lots of friends, including Kris, Debbie, Liz and Rick, who will all miss him dearly.