BARLEY, Michael
Sadly passed away on April 22nd, 2020 at University Hospital Geelong.
Beloved husband to Leo. Stepfather to Tannar. Eldest son of Cliff and Carol (both dec). Loved brother and brother in-law of Richard and Anita; and Simon (dec). Uncle to Flynn and Georgina and cousin to Emma.
Will be sadly missed by family, many friends, neighbours and the Forrest community.
Funeral notice
Thursday April 30, 2020
A Service to celebrate the life of Michael Barley will be live-streamed on Thursday, April 30, 2020 commencing at 2:00 p.m.
To view the live stream - click here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lookout Rehab in memory of Michael.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI didnโt know of Michaelโs passing. I havenโt seen him in over 50 years. But I remember him vividly, and talking Harry Harrison and Robert Heinlen. Some pathway. Peter Richards
April 14, 2023 1:12 pm
Would like to share a story of the first time I met Michael.
Was staying at Emma's place & wasn't expecting anyone else to be there; was going through a difficult time with my own struggles. Crept out early the next morning for breakfast hoping that no one would be up & in walks Michael. I forget the first words that he said, but needless to say we were still talking 2 hours later. Had covered the whole gamut from AFL to cricket to music to history to fantasy literature - it was just what I needed. Was grateful to catch up with Michael again late last year.
In our discussions over the years, he taught me acceptance & will miss his kindness, his intelligence & his wonderful humour & drives with the car stereo blasting.Sending you all our love Leo & Tannar.
Love,
Justin, Christobel, Melian & Annette.May 03, 2020 11:19 pm
Love to you Leo and Tannar through this journey of f loss. Xxxx
May 01, 2020 10:36 pm
Gone from the pages of life
Is, ultimately, a writerโs lot
Gone from the imaginary forest,
But forget-me-not.Stewart family
May 01, 2020 12:29 pm
Dear Leo,
I've been thinking of you today and hope you were able to have a fitting celebration of Michael's life despite these difficult times.
I hope you have been able to draw comfort from the love from your friends and family near and far xxxApril 30, 2020 7:14 pm
Dear Leo,
So sad to see you missing your best friend.
Love and thoughts Jeff and Maude.April 30, 2020 2:26 pm
Dear Leo and Tanner
I'm so sorry to hear about Michael's passing.
I cannot believe he is gone. I am going to miss his photos of your garden on Instagram, and the warm, gentle man with the wickedest sense of humour. Much love to you all.April 30, 2020 2:17 pm
Will miss hearing you coming down the road with your stereo blasting tunes. Always in our heart Have a safe journey. Love to Leo and Tanner. Alice and Sam
April 30, 2020 1:59 pm
Leo and Tanner,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
My thoughts are with you and your family in these tough times.
My most sincere condolences.
Take careApril 30, 2020 1:45 pm
So sorry I never got to meet you. At least I can say farewell from The Netherlands.
April 30, 2020 1:36 pm
Stereo Michael RIP.
Condolenses Leo, Tanner, family and friendsApril 30, 2020 10:40 am
We Will miss This gentle humoristic man, husband to nu Australian cousindearly. Hard to grasp that he has leftus.Wishing Leo and tannar all the strength to deal with their loss.
All out love Drom John and Molly van Diepenbrugge, Dordrecht, the NetherlandsApril 30, 2020 4:53 am
Dear Leo and Tannar,
We are so sorry for your loss. Michael was a special soul and will always be in hearts and minds.
Hope you find comfort in all the happy and joyful memories.
Gerrie and Patrick EarleyApril 29, 2020 11:40 pm
Dear Leo
I am so sorry for your loss and for the sadness you feel. I don't know if Michael was fond of the poetry of G M Hopkins but these words of, "As Kingfishers Catch Fire", speak to me of the Michael you so lovingly describe."Each mortal thing does one thing and the same; Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves - goes itself; myself it speaks and spells, Crying what I do is me: for that I came."Gaye Phillips
29 April 2020April 29, 2020 9:31 pm
Leo and family
Still canโt believe Mr Bart has gone but I am positive he is now aboard his own amazing ship that is - as he wrote about in Mordredโs Coals - a โSea of Tranquilityโ.
No-one else calls me Twinners. And it wouldnโt sound right coming from anyone else anyway.
I loved Mr Bartโs F**k it attitude but also his inquisitiveness, his knowledge, his acceptance and his warmth.
We love you lots, Bex and family xxxApril 29, 2020 8:11 pm
My love and thoughts are with you Leo on this sad occasion.
It is fitting that so many good things have been stated so sincerely by many friends. Michael enriched all our lives and will be remembered as a thoughtful, kind and wonderful man.April 29, 2020 7:18 pm
Farewell dear Michael,
We met over 30 years ago in unusual circumstances and developed an extraordinary friendship. You were kind, funny and erudite, shining a light on matters of great importance.
It is sad knowing you are lost to this world.
Much love
Molly xApril 29, 2020 5:27 pm
Good-bye old friend. You were so creative, funny, kind, and compassionate. We met almost half a century ago, and I am so grateful that we re-connected this last decade. You enriched my life with your craft and art of writing. You were a lovely and beautiful person with an incredible inquisitive brain. I know you will be sorely missed.
April 29, 2020 8:02 am
Dear Leo & Tanner,
I have been so saddened by the loss of your Michael. You are in my thoughts every day,
Love Jodie Johnston xxxApril 28, 2020 1:04 pm
Dear Leo
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time .
May your family and friends provide you the love and support you need.
We know Michael will be very much missed.
Lorraine and Garry Redford
April 27, 2020 7:27 pm
Dear Leo and Tannar we were so sorry to hear of the passing of Michael and are thinking of you both with heartfelt sympathy,
April 27, 2020 12:59 pm
Goodbye dear friend, the world is a better place for having known, rest easy until we meet again. Pamela
April 26, 2020 11:23 pm
I will miss you dearly.
I so wish that I could have spent more time with you.
You cared about so much that really mattered.
We shared a disdain for the bullshit in life.
My friend, Michael.https://youtu.be/eadbQaEutQI
April 26, 2020 10:21 pm
Dear Leo,
News of Michael leaving us has travelled.
I met him back in the 1980s. He was a clever, polite and reflective guy.
I haven't seen him since but these qualities were part of who he was.
Please accept my condolences. I am thinking of him and the family and what they must be going through.
Kind regards,
Paul Dudley
pjpdudley@gmail.comApril 25, 2020 5:09 pm
My deepest sympathy to you, Leo and all your family on the loss of your beloved Michael.
Holding you in my heart.
Love,
Teresa RobertsonApril 25, 2020 12:51 pm
Thinking of you Leo at this sad time - sending lots of love. Also thoughts are with Tannar and Emma.
Tim enjoyed reading both Mordred's Coals & Dark Ouroboros and we were so looking forward to enjoying his further writing.
April 25, 2020 10:25 am