Mark Barrow Tribute Page

Mark's funeral is at: St Anns CE Church, Warrington Road/View Road, Rainhill, L35 0LQ
This Friday 14th January 2011 at 11am, No flowers at the request of the family

We regret to report the death at Whiston Hospital on 9 January of Mark Barrow. Mark was taken into Whiston last Wednesday where he was diagnosed with a serious progressive illness. He passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning. Mark was originally with Pilkingtons before moving to LPS where he enjoyed much success. He came to St Helens-Sutton when his first child expressed an interest in the sport and has been with the club for the past two years. Mark was one of nature's true gentlemen, one of those rare people of whom never a bad word was said or heard. His disarming smile radiated calm wherever he went and it is a pleasure to have known him. Our thoughts are with his wife Debbie, his children and the rest of the Barrow family.

Mark's funeral will take place at St Anns Church, Rainhill on Friday 14 January at 11.am. Following this there will be a private service at Widnes Crematorium for family and very close friends. After both services have been completed everyone is invited to Rainhill Ex-Servicemen's Club.

Mark Barrow was one of nature's true gentleman. He was someone about whom never a bad word was spoken or heard. He had a disarming smile which radiated calm wherever he went. His personal modesty was combined with an athleticism which enabled him to produce many fine performances for his club. When his son expressed an interest in athletics Mark brought him down to St Helens-Sutton and provided us with an insight into the quality of his own training which underpinned his career success. It was a privilege to have known him and his sudden passing has saddened everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. The loss which LPS feels so deeply is echoed at St Helens-Sutton. Mark was one of those people of whom it can be truly said - he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his widow, Debbie, their two children and the extended Barrow family.

Dr Phil Thomas

I was fortunate enough to know Mark through training with him for one winter in the early nineties at Kirkby stadium a couple of times a week under Alan Prescott, so I have first hand experience of just how good an athlete Mark was, let me tell you, this lad could shift! back then I remember him being called sparrow barrow due to his slight frame, so I was just a little surprised to see him out jumping just about everybody in the high jump in a league match at Preston.

Mark joined my club St Helens Sutton to help his kids get involved with athletics, though he was very loyal to Pembroke, about a year before he joined St Helens I remember him saying to me that he would not compete for any other club, despite me trying to change his mind, so I think it was probably only his kids that could get him to join us.

The last time I saw Mark was when he was running in a cross country race at Sherdley Park St Helens 21 December 2010 I remember him telling me (in that proud parent way) that he had arrived early to watch his kids compete in the junior races. One of Mark's qualities was his modesty, not a lot of people in his training group knew just how good Mark was, despite him not being in his best shape, you would never hear him saying I have ran this time or ran that fast. He was starting to get back into some kind of shape having done some training and competing in a couple of races, his last race was to be a cross country race at Stockport on the 2January this year.

You will not meet a nicer person than Mark Barrow and I feel very privileged to have known him, bye sparrow.

Phil Robinson.

We only knew Mark for a very short time as one of the Sportshall Dads but he was always extremely friendly and willing to help officiate the jumps etc. It was obvious that he loved introducing David and Amy to Athletics and was by far the most committed parent in terms of getting them to training and competitions. Our thoughts are with Debbie, David and Amy.

I would like to express my feelings on the tragic news of a very good friend and team member Mark. He was a sincere gent through and through even when we were opponents when he ran for LPS. As we know Mark came to St.Helens Sutton with his son who had a desire to follow Marks enthusiasm for athletics. I remember watching Mark training on his own trying to fit his training in before his son finished his session. I managed to persuade Mark to join our training group and immediately Mark became a very valued member of the group. His talent and dedication, not only for himself, but to all those around him was truly inspirational. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. My thoughts are with his wife Debbie an his children an family at this very sad time.

Hope there's a good training group up there for you mate! god bless you

Ian White

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