TRIBUTES have been paid to a managing director who passed away following a battle with cancer.

Tony Barnett founded Fareham manufacturing firm Barnbrook in 1978.

The business, in Fareham Park Road, started as a one-man band, but today it has 45 employees and nearly 200 customers all over the world, including Boeing and Rolls-Royce.

At the time of his death at the age of 81, he was chairman of Fareham Conservative Association.

He served as vice-president of Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club and was a keen sailor.

His son Andrew Barnett announced "with much regret and great sadness" the passing of his dad.

Andrew said: “Tony successfully entered remission earlier this year after prolonged and gruelling treatment for cancer, but it recently returned and he had begun a second phase of treatment when he passed away.

“Tony coped unbelievably well throughout his illness, showing his customary spirit and strength while remaining wholeheartedly committed to the business he had built and its employees.

“Barnbrook Systems is very much a closeknit, extended family with many people who knew Tony all of their working lives and considered him a father figure."

He added that Tony was very proud of the business he had created.

He said: “Our thanks go to everyone who has been in touch to express their condolences. Tony will be very missed dearly, and we will consider a fitting memorial to him in due course.”

The management team will continue to run the business as usual with support from Tony’s family.

Barnbrook Systems Ltd designs and manufactures electro-mechanical switching devices such as flight actuators, power controllers and engine control units.

He was also a director of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium and sat on steering committees for various trade groups such as ADS, the Civil Aviation Authority and the British Standards Institution.

Tony, who lived in Fareham, leaves behind wife June and sons Andrew, Mark, Peter and Colin and their families.

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