Obituary - Barry Lewis

Mr Lewis was extremely well known within the timber industry and, in particular, within the Finnish trade. In fact, in the late 1990s, the Finnish government made him First Class Knight in the Order of the White Rose of Finland in recognition of his work within the Finnish wood-based panels industry.

His timber trade career started at Flatau Dick in Liverpool and he then joined Schauman UK as sales manager in 1972, becoming managing director in 1978. He held this position until his retirement at the end of 1999.

"Barry was a larger than life character whose philosophy was work hard and play hard - and that we did," said Steico UK managing director Andy Moore, who worked with Mr Lewis at Schauman for 16 years.

"Most of the [Schauman] senior management team still hold leading positions in the trade today, so we obviously got a good schooling," he continued.

Mr Lewis was active in a number of industry associations, including FIDOR and the Timber Trade Federation's International Division and National Panel Products Association (precursor of the National Panel Products Division).

He was also a driving force behind the Timber Trades Benevolent Society (TTBS).

He was TTBS national president in 1993 and again in 2000 and 2001 and was a trustee from 1996 and senior trustee since 2005.
"Barry was hugely respected for his work for the TTBS," said Ivan Savage, the society's general manager.

"His enthusiasm for the work that the TTBS does was infectious and everyone who came into contact with him was caught up in this enthusiasm.

"The greatest memorial to Barry will be the continuation and growth in the society and the work that we do to help the less fortunate from our industry."

A service to celebrate Mr Lewis's life will be held on Friday June 8 at 12.00 noon at St James' Church, Lulworth Road, Birkdale PR8 2BQ and subsequently at the Southport Crematorium. In order to help the family estimate numbers, please notify Ivan Savage (info@ttbs.org.uk) if you expect to attend.

The family has said that mourning attire and flowers are not required but that donations would be welcome for either the TTBS or Cancer Research UK.