SURROUNDED by his much-loved family, Lance Barrett passed away on December 8 after suffering a short illness brought on by a fall. Lance was 79.
Many will know Lance and the Barrett family from their business ventures, including owning many newsagencies in Coolum.
In the early 2000s, after a successful career working as a senior advisor for the member for Gosford, Lance made the move to Coolum after seeing the original Birtwill St newsagency up for sale.
Daughter Angela stated that the move to Queensland was also about having the whole family together as well.
“Our family had always loved this area and Dad saw the newsagency as a sustainable business for the family and he bought the Birtwill store in December 2002.”
That Birtwill Store is now where the Sunshine Smiles dentist is located.
Lance also went on to own the Coolum Park newsagency which his son Simon later purchased and two other little newsagencies along the front, one being in the Friendly Grocer store which just recently was where Gone Bonkers was located.
A stalwart of the Coolum community, Simon recounted that his Dad loved the community.
“He was well known throughout Coolum, nearly always being at one of the shops, and heavily involved in several community groups.
“Dad loved Coolum and the newsagency industry and stayed active in both as long as health permitted,” Simon stated.
Those community groups included actively being involved in the local LNP and with Probus.
The family which includes sons Tim and Simon Barrett, and daughter Angela Thompson are taking comfort in knowing that their beloved father is now reunited in spirit with their Mum who passed away in 2016 just a few months before their 50th wedding anniversary.
“The only silver lining is that Dad has now been reunited with his beloved wife Barb, may you both rest in peace,” Simon recounted.
A service for Lance Barrett will be held this Friday, December 15 at the Coolum Uniting Church from 1.30pm with all welcome to say goodbye.