Our sincere condolences to Pam and the extended family. Our thoughts are with you. From the members of the Opunake Embroiderers Guild.

Barry was the sheriff of Western Bottling, who allowed myself & Pete's mate's the pleasure of consuming many cold coke's from the red fridge. He took us to stockcars, waterskiing, fishing at Kuratau and taught us the electric fence kick ! Thank you Barry& Pam for plenty of fun and opportunities. Beat wishes to the Darney family. Old Boys forever !

I worked with Barry the entire time he was at VBW after Neville Wray phoned him up back in 1989 and asked him to come in and work here ‘to fill in his afternoons’. I spent a great deal of time catching up with him and chatting about everything under the sun as well as getting fantastic fatherly advice when I had my three kids. I still can’t believe he came to work all those years without a watch and just relied on everyone else to tell him what the time was! He had a kind word to say about anyone and made everyone feel special. What a gentleman.

Barry was always happy and a real gentleman. I remember bumping into him in the supermarket after he retired and he was telling me how busy Pam was keeping him now that he was retired. I remember how he didn’t want a computer and was happy doing everything manually and then passing it to someone else to do entering on the computer. He can finally rest. - Sara When I think of Barry, I’m always reminded of his iconic antique office chair from the ’70s or ’80s—but even more so, of the true gentleman who sat in it. He brought kindness, warmth, and a smile to everyone in the office. His presence made our days brighter, and he will be deeply missed. - Katherine I was hired to work alongside Barry as the bridge between the old world of manual accounting and the tech world. I was completely new to the industry back then, and Barry — with his wealth of knowledge, big ledger books and spreadsheets taped together — took me under his wing. He was patient and generous with his time, always willing to explain things and show me how it all worked. He was a steady presence beside me (8.30 to 5pm on the dot, never a sick day), quietly guiding and encouraging me as I started my career as an accountant. I could ask as many questions as I wanted, but the computers – that was my lane. He always had a story to tell, some quiet advice to share, and time for a chuckle (you know the one) with those around him, all while making sure the job got done. I’m deeply grateful for the time I had learning from him and working alongside him. Barry’s influence will stay with me throughout my career and I’ll always remember his dedication, generosity, and that quiet strength he carried with him every day. – Becca My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts during this difficult time. May you find strength, comfort, and peace in the loving memories you shared. May his soul rest in peace. - Pilana

The New Plymouth Old Boys’ cricket club wishes to acknowledge the passing of life member Barry ‘Boot’ Darney. Barry joined the club in 1954 and played until the mid-1980s. His contribution to the club was immense. He was prominent in building the first practice nets at Western Park in the mid-1950s, the revolutionary design attracting national and international interest. His many years’ service as a committee member included being club treasurer, and he played the leading role in fundraising for the Western Park pavilion extensions in the 1980s. Barry was also a member of the Western Park Board for many years. He was a great source of knowledge when a book was written on the history of the club and the ground. The New Plymouth Old Boys’ cricket club benefitted greatly from Barry’s contribution over many years. Thank you, Barry. The club extends its sympathies to his wife Pam, son Peter and family. Brian Beer New Plymouth Old Boys’ cricket club secretary

The Executive and Members of the West End (NP) Bowling Club are saddened to learn of Barry’s death. Our sincere condolences to the family. After a highly successful time in other sporting codes, including representing Taranaki in rugby, Barry took up bowls later in life. He was so consciousness. Even in his late 70s and early 80s, after working a full day, Barry would arrive at the Club and practice for an hour. Other workers, many half Barry’s age, would turn up, and see Barry thunder a few drives down with far greater velocity than they could manage. He did enjoy playing lawn bowls, the comradeship and the competitions. Always the Gentleman. RIP Barry. Molly Nagle, WEBC Club Captain

Barry was a constant calming presence in the VBW office for around 28 years. His routines and positive attitude remained unchanged during that time – he would never stray from his set hours of 8:30am – 12 (home for lunch with Pam), then 1 – 5pm. He never wore a watch and relied on someone in the team yelling ‘Barry! Lunch!’ He remained steadfast in his old-fashioned mannerisms and work habits – everything was done manually (no computer!) and even his chair was an old wooden one with a stiff back. Barry used to like the occasional bet at the TAB. In my first few years at Vanburwray, Barry used to visit me on a Friday afternoon & take me to the TAB where we would place a bet or 2 on the weekend’s upcoming rugby matches. We would review our results on the Monday morning & discuss how the games had gone. RIP Barry. - Monty Barry wasn’t really one to participate in the office chit chat and banter, but we could tell he LOVED it. He would just sit quietly at his desk chuckling to himself and always said that continuing to come to work in his 80’s kept him young. I don’t think I’ll ever know a gentleman like you again Barry. – Kirsten I started at VBW not long before Barry retired, but in that short time I was really impressed by his work ethic and dedication. What always amazed me was how he managed to do his job without a computer. I could always tell when the accounts were a “Barry job” when I scanned his workpapers—often multiple A3 sheets, sometimes even taped together to fit all the information. It showed the care and detail he put into his work. – Alex I will always remember his excitement and the huge smile he had for the team photo when the Ranfurly Shied came to Vanburwray. Barry was a true gentleman, he showed great love for his family, this affection extended to the Vanburwray family. Barry was like the Grandad of Vanburwray. – Julie

Barry was such a gentleman- was a pleasure to get to know him over the recent years. RIP Our sincere condolences to Pam and family. Bryan and Julie Boulton