Barry, who died today, was the friend and supporter of a whole community, active in countless causes and charities, loved and known far and wide.
In the short time I have lived here I have come to appreciate the extraordinary contribution that Barry has made to Bermondsey, and I personally have valued his kindness and friendship more than I can say.
To Jackie, Simon, Jon and their families go our heartfelt condolences today.
It was the compassionate kindness of Barry himself, that great warmth and empathy he had, that set the tone for the way everyone at Albins dealt with the families who came to them in their hour of need.
Simon Hughes who was with Barry this morning before he died told Southwark News: “If anybody represented the best of Bermondsey, that person was Barry Albin. He loved and cared for thousands, probably tens of thousands of people and families and they and we all loved him back. His whole family have been just wonderful in his final days and have watched over him like angels in the difficult last hours before his death today. They have our love and prayers and support and that will continue always, because nothing can undo what Barry has done and given and meant to Bermondsey for so many years.”
There is a passage in John's Gospel (chapter 14.1-6) that Barry particularly liked. He liked it because it talked about the after-life, the life of the world to come, in a down-to-earth, straightforward way that anyone could understand.
In it, Jesus says this: 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?'
Today Mr Bermondsey has arrived at the Father's house.
He is safe there - forever.
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