During his childhood years John Barclay developed an enduring love of the outdoors, particularly walking and cycling. As he got older his passion extended to rock climbing, skiing, and fell walking, as well as encompassing opera and jazz. In 1947 John was called up for national service, serving with the Household Cavalry in Germany. He represented the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues) fencing team and later captained Liverpool University fencing team, where he became four times winner of the Alyward Sword of Honour. He also represented Lancashire and Cheshire Fencing Union, and the north of England at foil. In 1952 he won the fencing event at the Winter Pentathlon in Bad Gestein, Austria.
While in the army, John also represented the Blues at rifleshooting at Bisley, and was awarded the bronze cross of the Army Rifle Association. During this time he honed his skiing skills, representing first the army and breaking the British 50 km cross-country skiing record, which he held for seven years, and then being selected for the British Olympic ski team at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. The following year he took up a position as house surgeon at St Helen's Hospital, going on to obstetrics and gynaecology at Ormskirk Hospital, where he met Claire, who was also a junior doctor. They married in 1957. John contracted tuberculosis and was in bed for three months with a further seven months off work.
John was a gentleman, modest, kind, and generous, with a calm and considered approach, tenacious when required. He had a wonderful dry wit, even up to the end. During a severe winter and much to his children's embarrassment, unable to get to his out patients' clinic, owing to heavy snow, John donned his skis and trusty balaclava and went cross country to the hospital, receiving applause from students at Edge Hill College as he passed by. He left his skis and sticks in his reserved parking space! He was a dedicated and conscientious psychiatrist, highly regarded by colleagues and loved by his patients. He retired in 1988.
John, a committed Christian with deep religious beliefs, was never afraid of dying and looked forward to what he referred to as “the last great adventure.” He bore his long illness with typical stoicism, never complaining, always aware of those worse off than himself. John suffered from Lewy body disease for over six years but enjoyed periods of lucidity till the very end. He leaves a wife, Claire; seven children; and 14 grandchildren.
Consultant psychiatrist Winwick Hospital, Warrington and Ormskirk General Hospital, Lancashire, 1964-88 (b 1929; q Liverpool 1955), d 5 June 2007.