Tributes have been paid to a retired engineering lecturer described by his family as a ‘gem of a soul’ ahead of his funeral on Friday.
Friends and family are gathering to say a fond final farewell to Barrie Morgan who died last month aged 72.
He was found to have passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland.
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As a young man he moved in with elder sister, Jean and her husband Derrick Hopper, and became as a close as a brother to her children, Adrian and Derrick Junior.
His nephew, Adrian, said: “Barrie was a very kind, tolerant, patient, understanding and pacifistic soul who had a lifelong dislike of violence and war.
“He could never understand why governments sent young men to wars to die and believed it was all completely unnecessary.
“Barrie showed the world that the greatest strength was love and that you do not need to be a warrior to be a great man.”
During his working life he taught students at Bishop Auckland Technical College as well as at Leeds-Bradford University.
Adrian said: “He loved to learn and loved to share his knowledge.
“Over the years he went on to teach so many students go on to great careers in engineering which his family will always be very proud of.
“Barrie lived a bloody good life. He learned, he taught, he helped anyone and everyone.
“He treated all of his students as though they were his family and sent so many onto great careers and conveyed so much kindness into this world he was a real rarity. He loved to make other people happy.
“Barrie is proof that even though born into the poorer end of society it doesn’t have to hold you back.”
Barrie was known for his love of cooking, culture and conversation as well his wide knowledge on a variety of topics, including film and philosophy.
After retirement Barrie would travel around with Adrian helping him out in his work as a stonemason.
His body will be carried in wicker coffin on the back of the flatbed lorry the pair spent many hours in, chatting and making each other laugh.
Adrian said: “Barrie is loved more than words can say by so many folk.
“An absolute legend of a soul.
“He gave so much, asked for so little and you would need to travel a very long road before you met a soul equally as kind.
“Some great people have come out of Bishop Auckland in its time and Barrie was definitely one of them without doubt.”
The funeral cortege is meeting at 21 Aldhun Close, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6XL, at 2pm ahead of a service at Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon at 2.30pm.
Afterwards there will be a buffet at the Cross Keys pub in Hamsterley Village where Barrie used go on Friday evenings with his family.
All are invited and welcome.
Adrian said: “Please don't feel obliged to wear black clothing if you don't want to.
“Barrie wasn't one for the status quo and he loved beauty and colour so wear whatever you want.
“Barrie will just be pleased you came to see him off.”
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