There are so very few heroes in our world, but Bernard Barry was definitely one of them. I have no doubt that everyone of you here has been inspired by Bernard in many different ways. To me, Bernard was simply Grandad. It is still very difficult to talk about him in the past tense because he is very present in my, in our, lives. He was a wonderful, loving and generous Grandad. He could be very strict at times, and tell me off, especially as a child when I was clumsy. Actually, when I was clumsy as an adult too. However, he always told the truth and showed how much he cared. As a teenager, he’d want to hear a recital of whatever my musical instrument of the moment happened to be: recorder, piano, cello, clarinet, even the tuba. Yes, I tried them all and Grandad was forever encouraging. As a child he was my pen pal. I must have hundreds of Grandad’s letters at my parents house. Years later of course, we entered the age of the internet and so we emailed. I remember at the beginning, when Grandad would phone me to see if I had received his email. I’d say, “but Grandad, you don’t need to phone me aswell. I’ll reply to you by email.” He’d chuckle and say that he was still more comfortable with the snail mail. Nevertheless, like everything else he did, his PC skills in his 80s were impressive. When I lived in France, he’d email me some phrases in French. And when I lived in Spain, he’d email me phrases in Spanish. Most importantly, Grandad was there for me in crucial times of my life. He listened carefully and gave thoughtful advice. During a weekend together, in Sitges, Barcelona, I told him about my boy troubles. I was not in a good place at all and felt very lost in life. We had a real heart to heart. He told me all about his love for Bertha, and his love for Nana. How they were different and how one love never replaces the other. He advised me to choose a stable man, a solid love. Today I am very grateful that he finally got to meet my solid love, my new husband Miguel. Sadly, soon after our Barcelona trip, Grandad stopped emailing and was later diagnosed with vascular dementia. I have seen that dementia is a very cruel illness. It didn’t let him do all the things he wanted to. But Grandad was strong and brave. He never lost his long term memory, nor his wicked sense of humour. Finally, I would just like to say that the family should be extremely proud of how we loved and supported Grandad through these last difficult years. Grandad certainly felt how much he was loved and cared for, and said he loved us too. What more can we ask for? Now rest in peace Grandad, my personal hero. I will love you forever.