A protracted-standing and well-liked landlord, who ran a string of pubs in his 35 years within the licensing commerce, has died.
Barry Pitcher, a former chairman of the Licensed Victuallers’ Affiliation (LVA), handed away on the age of 74.
The jovial publican, whose final boozer was Expectations in Rochester Excessive Road, was wheelchair-bound after struggling a stroke in 2017.
However he maintained a lot of his independence till he fell and broke his hip earlier this 12 months and have become extra bed-bound and reliant on his close-knit household.
Born and rising up in Gravesend, Barry labored for a printing firm in Lordswood after leaving college.
However his love of socialising and his favorite tipple, a pint of Carling, drew him to a profession behind the bar.
His daughters – Carly, 37, and Jemma, 39 – have fond recollections of their dad who was additionally a granddad to 2 boys and two ladies.
Jemma mentioned: “He was at all times hands-on. Whereas most mums would choose up from college, it was dad who did the college run.
She mentioned: “We lived in pubs as we had been rising up and it was enjoyable. There have been at all times lots of people round.
“We didn’t know any completely different till we moved into our personal houses.”
They each share blissful instances of occurring vacation overseas, together with journeys to the Caribbean and sunshine areas in Spain and Greece.
Carly added: “Operating a pub was a 24-hour job, so we made probably the most of it by going away three or 4 instances a 12 months.”
They mentioned Barry was “very a lot a household man” and so they used to exit for meals in Rochester’s many eating places usually.
Barry was additionally a die-hard Chelsea fan, and though his job prevented him from going to see his staff play, he would at all times watch matches from his favorite spot within the bar.
The women recall he had a particular chair at Expectations and locals knew by no means to assert it.
The LVA performed a giant half in Barry’s life and till just lately he nonetheless attended conferences and annual occasions.
It was the affiliation’s charitable arm that paid for his wheelchair so he may get out and about.
He ran Expectations, now Italian restaurant Padrino’s, from 1996 to 2011 and on his retirement moved to a flat in Horsted on the outskirts of Chatham.
Different pubs he ran included the Crispin and Crispianus in Strood which, in days passed by, was frequented by none apart from Charles Dickens.
The world-famous novelist would typically cease for a drink to get inspiration for his characters on his means again to his dwelling at Gad’s Hill, Higham.
Barry was additionally on the helm on the Elephant and Fortress, The Clarendon Inn and The Beacon Arms in Luton which, in its heyday, was a preferred hang-out with dockyard and manufacturing unit staff.
The sisters, who each dwell in Strood with their households, mentioned their father didn’t favour the new-style gastro pubs which have sprung up on the town centres.
Jemma mentioned: “He preferred to have amusing and take the mickey out of his regulars.”
Barry spent his remaining days on the Knowledge Hospice in Rochester the place his household visited him day by day.
After being informed he won’t make it to Christmas, his daughters introduced him in a festive bottle of port with cheese and biscuits to his bedside.
It was there they raised a toast to a loving dad and granddad to Darcy, 9, Amia, eight, Kade, seven, and Albie, aged three.
Barry, who died on Monday, November 18, additionally leaves his second spouse Susan, 73, from whom he was separated.
The funeral is at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill, on Tuesday, December 17 at 11.30am.
Flowers to T Allen Funeral Providers, Strood, or donations to the Knowledge Hospice. Preparations for the wake are but to be finalised.
#Tributes #Barry #Pitcher #landlord #Expectations #Rochester #Crispin #Crispianus #Strood
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