The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead

Address given by the Dean of Lincoln, the Very Revd Philip Buckler, at the Funeral of Barney Rodgers

For everything there is a season a time to be born and a time to die. That time to die had arrived for Barney, and although we may regret it, none of us would have wished him longer in ever-failing health, not least because he would probably have been an intolerable patient if totally dependent upon others!

We have also heard read that passage from Henry Scott Holland’s sermon The King of Terrors: in this the speaker is looking upon the face of a loved one who has died, and speaking the thoughts that come to mind. He finds that strangely death is cut down to size when seen in the context of the love that has been there. We have just heard in Margaret’s recollections something of that love and know how death seems almost insignificant in the face of that love in which we held him and it is in that love that God himself is to be found.
In a well-known passage of St John’s Gospel we hear the words of Jesus who said: In my Father’s house are many rooms [mansions], I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be alsoii . This was an encouragement to his disciples and has been a promise to his followers down the centuries and gives us hope here today.

In my Father’s house are many mansions I expect Barney has measured each one by now and worked out their rental value.

For Barney was of course a businessman, a landlord, father and grandfather, brother to many, husband to Margaret, and friend to so many of us here today. We thank God for a rich and varied life each of us bringing our own particular memories to bear.

As one of ten children brought up in Southend-on-Sea life was never easy. He shared the work of looking after his brothers and sisters, and learned, we might say the hard way, the value of things from an early age. I have heard tell of him cycling round to get yesterday’s bread to help feed the large family and striking a hard bargain for what he needed even then.
It was the memory of things hard won that stayed with him and inspired his high ethic of work and a horror of waste.

Called up into the army he spent much of the war in Gibraltar in medical support unable to serve in the front line because of his poor eyesight.

After the war he began life as a salesman – selling brassieres I am told. He progressed to selling ships paint, and next we find him in Monaco engaged in discussion with Niarchos and Onassis. Not just any ships paint it would seem!

From there he went into his own business and worked hard as always, yet at the same time he was bringing up his daughters Judith and Sally. In 1976 the opportunity arose for him to buy Hampstead Hill Mansions an opportunity he jumped at and so began his role as landlord to very many families who have lived there over the ages. The friendships that have resulted from this, stretch over the years and across the world.

With Margaret came a happiness and deep love that was obvious to all. Their capacity for fun and enjoyment was huge, and they began to travel, and travel, and travel. Of course they met a wide range of people usually Margaret would find a most extraordinary coincidence’, a link in actual fact’ and so the circle of friendship widened yet more.

Barney and Margaret could have been entirely self-contained, and in one sense they were. But they also chose to share themselves with others and that is where so many of us come in, and have reason to be thankful today.

Many thought Barney was just a wine waiter and indeed a very good one at that. Often keeping in the background allowing people to enjoy themselves and one another at the countless social occasions he hosted. He took to heart his Lord’s words I am among you as one who servesiii. They enjoyed company that was obvious and company enjoyed them. But Barney also had that streak of business acumen behind all this. He was keen to support charity, church and community we think of the work they have done for Burgh House, for this Church and for other groups and causes. But Barney always wanted his support to be creative. He would say that he did not just want to give money he wanted it to work and create more. Ever the entrepreneur, he saw that with Margaret’s gifts in hosting, they could provide social occasions to raise even more money for those in need. So the parable of the talents came alive using what he had to create even more. Of course it was not just more money that was raised, but people came to know and appreciate one another to share in that great human bond of friendship, often centred there in Australia House’ or Hampstead Hotel’ as Flat 9 was known.

Barney always claimed that he was not deeply religious, although he would come here to worship and support the life of the church. He had a profound sense of what was right and wrong, and a simple belief in God. He was content to understand as he did, and knew that he had touched the things of God in the love with which he was blessed, and the duty to which he felt bound.

A cautious, shrewd and even at times ruthless business man, his trust had to be earned. It was I believe earned by God, and that is not something one says lightly. It is in that trust that we ourselves can give heartfelt thanks for Barney’s life, whilst entrusting him to that sure and certain hope in life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In my Father’s house are many mansions God’s love is all-encompassing. He has given us the gift of life it is a precious gift as Barney himself knew right up to the very end. But it is a life to be lived and used that is the challenge which lies before each one of us. Nor are we created the same we must live the lives entrusted to us using the gifts with which we are endowed. Barney understood that, and used his gifts, not just for himself and those close to him, but spread wider to enable good things to blossom and flourish.
If friendship and generosity are characteristics we see expressing something of God’s presence in his world, then we have seen him at work in Barney and for that we render grateful thanks as we place Barney into the merciful and welcoming arms of his Maker and Redeemer.

In my father’s house are many mansions. Maybe Barney has set about managing them in heaven, and ensuring that a cheerful welcome awaits us all.
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i Ecclesiastes 3. 1-2
ii John 14.2f
iii Luke 22.27