Nigel Barnett (OW 1962)

Nigel’s son Malcolm informed us that his father had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of heart disease on 8 January 2017, aged 72. Malcolm shared the following words:

Nigel was born in Oxford on 2 July 1944, the only son of William and Margery. Nigel involved himself in various school activities. As well as being academically very bright, he was a fine sportsman, particularly at cricket and football – he played both for Harwell (a fine fast bowler and big hitting tail ender, a nippy winger), he was also a fine darts player.

After finishing his schooling at Magdalen, Nigel began his career working in insurance for Commercial Union. It was at Commercial Union that he met Susanne (Sue) Field, who he was to marry in 1965. Early married life revolved around Nigel’s work with Commercial Union, moving first to Banbury, then Gloucester, then High Wycombe. In 1966 their only son, Malcolm, was born.

In 1974, Nigel and Sue bought their first business together – the VG Food store in Kennington (they lived in Kennington from this point on), Oxford, which they ran successfully for five and a half years. Unable to obtain the freehold, they sold up and moved on to ownership of Warlands moped and cycle shop in Botley Road. Three years later, they sold the business, and Nigel returned to the insurance world, working for Matthews Comfort and Spink. In 1996, Nigel and Sue started a blinds business (Sue &Nigel Blinds), that they were to run successfully up to Nigel’s sudden passing.

Nigel was a fantastic father (and husband to Sue),supporting Malcolm in his sporting life (football and cricket), and always close at hand watching Malcolm’s cricket career with Kennington Cricket Club. Nigel became a vice-president of the Cricket Club for many years. Both father and son were to become keen supporters of Oxford United, watching most home games from 1978 onwards.

A keen trainspotter in his youth, he also sang as a chorister in the church choir. When he reached 60, he started to learn to play the guitar. He had a passion for listening to music too – Roy Orbison, Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly were among his favourites.

Nigel was a man who cared about others, was self-effacing and put them first, going the extra mile for everyone – family, friends and customers. He had a fantastic dry sense of humour and will be sadly missed by all that knew him. All who knew Nigel are better for having done so.

Nigel is survived by his wife Sue, son Malcolm and granddaughter Emily (born in 2013).