08.07.2023

Rita Barnes 1947 - 2023

We have received the sad news that Rita Barnes - the wife of crane industry veteran Barry Barnes Demag/Terex - has died. She passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday July 5th, following a complication with an operation, she was 75.

The couple were friends for 61 years, and married for 55 of them, having held their wedding on Rita’s 21st birthday.
Rita Barnes or the 'Lovely Rita’ as Barry often referred to her, was known to many in the crane industry both in the UK and elsewhere as she would frequently join customer groups on trips to major exhibitions and factory visits. She was known not just by Demag customers, but also competitors, if not personally, because Barry would often refer to her by name - quite a lot.
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Rita Barnes with Barry on holiday last year

In a message this week he said: “I am deeply saddened to let you know that my wonderful wife, lovely Rita passed away at 5.45pm on 5th of July. Rita was and will be my number one ‘Go To’ for everything. She leaves an adoring husband and two loving children Kelly and Brad and most caring five grandchildren. She is sadly and devastatingly missed and in thoughts and hearts forever.”

Barry Barnes entered the crane industry as a teenager, when he joined Demag in 1965. He went on to spent his entire career with the company remaining on board after Demag was acquired by Terex, he retired in 2011, and before long became a crane consultant and advisor.