On Tuesday, May 7 Launceston Rotary said a sad farewell to their president, Barrie Boundy, who recently died.

His memorial service was held in St Stephen’s Church, where over 300 people, some of whom had queued for nearly two hours, filled the church to overflowing with people standing in the aisles and in the sacristy.

Barrie’s life was one of service; after retirement as a volunteer hospital driver, the founder of the St. Stephen’s Residents’ Association, and with Rotary making four trips to Kosovo and Bosnia to deliver fire engines or ambulances which had been lovingly restored. On a holiday to Africa he saw children drinking dirty water which led him to be a staunch supporter of the charity Sand Dams, which is a major Rotary project to provide clean drinking water in Africa, and which was his nominated charity at the service. More recently he was influential in the establishment of the Rotary Community Shop in Southgate Street. He was very competitive, and delighted in having the highest takings of the week after his day on duty.

He was to have attended a Buckingham Palace Garden Party this month in recognition of his service to the community.

A spokesperson said: “Launceston Rotary has lost not only a president, but a true friend and an outstanding rotarian who epitomised their motto ‘Service Above Self’.”