Local businessman Barry Smith passed away peacefully on Wednesday 13 October in hospital, following a short illness.
Barry, along with Sue Haine, started the business in 1975 with practices in Westbury and Marlborough.
The pair gradually increased their presence to 20 practices in towns throughout Wiltshire, and over the borders into Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.
Barry was a Director of the Federation Of Dispensing Opticians from 1991 to 2011.
As well as being a longstanding member of Marlborough & District Rotary Club, Barry and his wife Liz, had been devout worshippers at All Saints’ Church Burbage.
He was also the Chair of Burbage PCC and the Savernake Team for many years, as well as a Trustee of the Harnhill Centre of Christian Healing and other Christian charities.
Barry and Liz moved from Wiltshire to Aberfeldy in Scotland when he retired in August 2019. His eldest son Giles and family also relocated to Aberfeldy at the same time - a place at which they had spent many happy holidays over the years.
The couple's youngest son Felix is a priest in Sussex.
The was a keen sportsman in his day, playing football and table tennis, and latterly tennis and badminton. A keen supporter of Swindon Town, Southampton, and St Johnston football Clubs, he loved to watch matches at the home grounds.
Those that knew him, said of the businessman: "A very full life, led by a well-loved gentleman."
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