The Cambridge Primary School community is mourning the sudden passing of former teacher Barry West who died of a heart attack on Monday February 10, at the age of 65.
He is survived by his wife Jenni, his children Kristen, Dean, Carmen, and Vaughn, his grandchildren Lexi and Kayde, his brother Peter and his sister Helen.
In his 41 years at Cambridge Primary School, West made a lasting impression on pupils and staff alike as grade 7 head of department and later as deputy headmaster. He was involved in many of the school’s drama and musical productions and often returned to the school to assist after his official retirement in 2022.
Described as a levelheaded and down-to-earth man, West never hesitated to help with both personal and work-related problems, as he truly embodied the school’s motto, Non vobis (not for ourselves). His fellow staff member, Dayné Lutge, remembers West as a man of integrity who was the definition of a gentleman.
“Mr and Mrs West were an inseparable team and were the monarchs of our school. He was a man of honour, wisdom, integrity and poise. A gentleman looked up to by those who were blessed to be under his wing.
“Always impeccably smart and gracious. He was a family man and loving husband. A leader, mentor, friend and colleague. In my speech for him at his final prize-giving, I made note of the fact that he left behind a legacy of being the last Cambridge teacher to carry a briefcase,” Lutge said.
Cambridge primary teacher, Mandy Korte, said: “As I scroll social media, all I see are tributes indicative of the countless lives he touched.”
Keith Richard Watkins wrote: “He was one of the nicest grade 7 teachers at Cambridge Primary School. I remember Mr West from my primary school days 20 years ago. He had a great sense of humor and he was just a wonderful person all round.
“When myself and a few of the other pupils attended an information evening at our new high school, he came with us that evening, I won’t forget it.
“ I have such great memories of my time at Cambridge Primary School and Mr West was a part of those memories.
“May you RIP sir, my condolences go out to your family during this time.”
Natasha Shaw posted: “He played an instrumental role in my childhood, one of my favourite teachers and I used to love bumping into him while running errands whenever I was in East London for work. This is such a huge loss.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family, he truly was an incredible teacher and human being with the kindest heart.”
