SMITH Barry "BIG WHEELS" 19-11-56 - 19-3-2018 Loved husband of Karen, Loving father of Melissa, Corey and Adam. Father-in-law of Travis, Nicole, Bianca and treasured Pop of Tayla, Cooper, Bailey, Lincoln and Gracie. He died doing what he loved, Our family has lost its strongest link, Miss you lots. Funeral notice to follow.
A genuine bloke who loved to drive.
That's how Barry Smith is being remembered after he tragically died behind the wheel of his beloved truck at Ringarooma on Monday.
Known to his family and closest friends as "old Barry big wheels with a big heart", the 61-year-old Scottsdale man drove trucks for four decades.
The father-of-three passed on his love of travelling the roads to his two sons, Corey and Adam, who followed in his footsteps and became truck drivers themselves.
His daughter, Melissa Targett, loved to keep her dad company on his many journeys down the Midland Highway and along the West Coast, learning to love trucks just as he did.
Even though he has passed, he will watch over his family and ensure that they never ride the highways alone.
The devastated Smith family sat down together on Wednesday and penned a tribute to the adored father, husband and grandfather.
"Barry was held in high regard as an operator and person by the wide range of people that he knew over his career," they wrote.
"That has become even more apparent by the overwhelming amount of visitors, flowers, cards, phone calls and messages from concerned people since his sudden passing.
"Even though he has passed, he will watch over his family and ensure that they never ride the highways alone."
Barry's death rippled through not only the northern region, but Tasmania's broader trucking community.
Friend and former co-worker Tony Whitehouse said the news of his passing was a "kick in the guts" for drivers across the state, but especially for those who were lucky enough to know Barry.
"I had known him for quite a few years, he was a very genuine sort of bloke," he said.
Barry Smith was driving a log truck (pictured) when he tragically died at Ringarooma on Monday. Picture: Supplied
Barry Smith was driving a log truck (pictured) when he tragically died at Ringarooma on Monday. Picture: Supplied
"He was always in a cheery mood, just a really nice fella."
Also the president of Tassie Truckies Memorial Inc, Mr Whitehouse said he didn't realise it was Barry until after news of the incident had already spread.
"As soon as I heard on the news it was a 61-year-old from Scottsdale I knew I was bound to know him," he said.
"He was just a top bloke who would go out of his way to help anyone.
"I would like to send condolences to his family on behalf of the Tassie Truckies Memorial community."
Mr Whitehouse said it was likely Barry's name would be added to the memorial wall at Epping Forest road house, which was opened by volunteers in 2015.
Official investigations into the tragedy are continuing.
WorkSafe Tasmania, Tasmania Police crash investigators, Tasmania Fire Service, Ambulance Tasmania and transport inspectors all attended the scene on Cuckoo Hill Road about 1pm Monday, after Barry's fully laden log truck drove off a road and crashed down an embankment.
It is understood he died behind the wheel, but police said the exact cause of the incident was still unknown.
As well as his children, Barry leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Karen Smith, his son-in-law Travis Targett, daughters-in-law Bianca Burrows and Nicole Smith and his grandchildren Cooper and Lincoln Targett, Tayla and Bailey Smith and Gracie Smith.
A funeral service is expected to be held for Barry on Friday at Scottsdale.
Source 1