Aboyne businessman dies, aged 60
Owner of Dronik Maritime Consultants discovered he had liver cancer days before Christmas
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The boss of an Aberdeenshire underwater search firm has died five months after marrying his partner of more than 20 years.
Mike Barclay, 60, who owned Dronik Maritime Consultants, died on Friday after doctors discovered he had liver cancer just days before Christmas.
Mr Barclay’s wife, Gillian, last night paid tribute to a “truly amazing man” who became her husband in August last year. Mrs Barclay said her husband was “totally committed to his job”, which included overseeing the raising of the Peterhead fishing trawler Sapphire after she sank, killing four of her crew, 13 years ago.
Mrs Barclay, 53, of Kinord Drive, Aboyne, said last night: “Mike was a very private man, we would keep ourselves to ourselves, but with his amazing sense of humour he had the ability to make people welcome and feel at ease.”
The couple met 22 years ago, and after years of considering marriage decided to tie the knot in Antigua last year.
“It was quite a spur-of-the-moment thing”, Mrs Barclay said.
“We had already booked our holiday, and when we thought about getting married it just seemed right.
“It means even more to me now he is gone, I am so grateful we were able to get married.”
Mr Barclay went for an appointment with his doctor just before Christmas, and was diagnosed with liver cancer on December 23.
“It has all been so sudden,” his wife said.
“It has still not sunk in yet – I keep thinking he is only away on a job, and he will be home again soon.”
As well as his wife, Mr Barclay leaves behind his son Sean, 35, and grandchildren Grace, 4, and Owen, aged two months.
He also leaves behind stepdaughter Lyndsey, 29, and step-grandchildren Callum, 6, and two-year-old Liam.
His funeral service will be held at the Aboyne-Dinnet Parish Church on Thursday at 1pm.
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