Tributes paid to Alan Barnes from Askam who 'held on' to meet new granddaughter

Alan ‘Barney’ Barnes has died after battling the the rare condition multiple system atrophy (MSA) for more than 12 years.

MSA is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes gradual damage to nerve cells in the brain.

The 76-year-old retired shipyard worker leaves behind his wife of 34 years Bernie and their four children: Alice, Jess, Tom and Sam.

LOVED ONES: Alan Barnes with his children Sam, Jess, Alice and Tom and his wife of 34 years, Bernie

Mr Barnes, who lived in Askam his whole life, is well known for walking his beloved dog Archie across the parish.

His daughter Alice Barnes described him as a ‘family man’ who kept his sense of humour right until the end.

“He was very funny and a bit bonkers too,” she said.

“Everyone in Askam knew who he was and saw him walking about with his dog.

“He absolutely loved his family. He would do anything for anyone.”

Mr Barnes was diagnosed with MSA 12 years ago and was given a life expectancy of 12-18 months.

However, he defied doctor’s expectations and fought the illness for more than a decade before eventually losing his battle on Tuesday.

Daughter Jess said the family all thought he was invincible.

“We thought he’d never die,” she said.

“He never moaned about his diagnosis or mentioned he was ill to anyone. He was a true fighter.”

Mr Barnes’ family said their dad ‘held on’ over the past few weeks to meet his now three-week old granddaughter Pixie.

FAMILY: Alan 'Barney' Barnes, who has sadly died after battling multiple system atrophy, with his granddaughter Pixie

“It was almost like he was hanging on over these past few weeks to meet Pixie,” Miss Barnes said.

“He was determined on meeting her. On the Monday before he died, our brother came up from London and we were all together for the first time since Christmas.

“It was lovely he had those memories before he died.”

The family wants to raise awareness of the disorder MSA which, before their dad’s diagnosis, they knew very little about.

“We didn’t know what it was until dad was diagnosed,” said Jess.

“We were told it would get worse as time went on. When he was first diagnosed he went downhill quite quickly then stayed the same and slowly got worse.

“Last year he went into hospital during the height of the pandemic and we were told to prepare for the worst and that the doctor was taking him off the ventilator.

“But he woke up - he’s such a fighter. All the neighbours came out and clapped him when he came home from hospital.

“We feel grateful for getting that extra year with him.”

Alice said family was the most important thing in her dad’s life.

“He always said he didn’t want anything in life other than his family,” she said.

“That was the only thing that made him happy.

“We’ll miss him every day - life will never be the same without him.

“We can’t go anywhere in Askam without someone coming up to us and telling us about our dad.

“He was so well loved.”