THE president of Braintree and Bocking Constitutional Club has died after a short fight with illness, aged 82.

Barry Waud was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which had spread to his liver and bowel, on March 5.

He passed away 16 days later, surrounded by family, on March 21.

Mr Waud was well known in Braintree, having moved to Brook Close with wife Fay, who he married in April 1964, in 1967.

He had a long-standing connection with the Constitutional Club, having joined in 1993.

Three years later, he became a committee member and, apart from a two-year break after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he served in some form ever since.

He was president until the end and was instrumental in the club changing its policy to allow women to become members in 2004.

He was also heavily involved in all social occasions, including being a regular quizmaster.

Mr Waud, a member of Braintree Bowls Club, had a strong sense of community spirit, arranging annual bonfire parties and a party for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

In his working life, he was in engineering before moving into a sales role for Ilford-based electronics, defence and telecommunications company Plessey.

Although it changed its name several times, he remained in the same building until retiring in 1993.

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During this time he held several roles including marketing manager for North Africa and the Middle East.

His work allowed him to travel the world and in the mid-1980s he spent time in South Korea and Hong Kong.

He also visited the likes of Ottawa, Montreal, California and Australia.

Two years after retiring, Mr Waud was offered consultancy work with a company in Gloucestershire.

He continued for two years before retiring for good.

In his earlier life, Mr Waud, who was born in South Woodford in 1939 and went to school in Barkingside and Buckhurst Hill, had been heavily involved in scouting, having joined in 1950.

He became a scout leader for the 5th Ilford North troop, where he arranged for boys to go on a jamboree in Idaho, America.

In 2007, Mrs Waud was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr Waud became her carer and learnt new skills including cooking.

It wasn’t until Mrs Waud was in a care home for a week’s respite in March 2018 and lost the ability to walk that a decision was taken out of his hands and she had to remain there until passing away in January 2019.

The couple had two daughters, Karen and Michelle, and a son, Stephen.

Mr Waud’s funeral is taking place tomorrow.

A JustGiving page has been set up for anyone interested in making a donation to Cancer Research UK.

Head HERE.