We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, John Barco.
John was a much-loved member of the Skiworld family, having been part of the team for 18 years as a trusted Manager. Over nearly two decades, he became an integral part of the business and a familiar, friendly face to so many of us.
John will be deeply missed by everyone at Skiworld, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
We know that many of you will have your own memories and stories of John, so please feel free to share them in the comments below. We would love to create a space where we can remember John together and celebrate the impact he had on all of us.
Rest in peace fella. You’ll be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you. You were such a kind, patient and helpful person, always answering my silly questions with a smile and so much grace.
I’ll always remember our chats at the pub and listening to your stories about Asia, guitars and trainers. You’ll not be forgotten.
Rest easy, Milo. x
Many happy memories of JB at our winter Training or summer crossover week together, catching up and sharing stories! Lots of laughs shared!Rest in Peace xxx
It was a privilege to work alongside JB for over 15 years. John was the person who seemed to know everything about IT—and could fix just about anything. No matter the question or problem, he was always willing to help, with endless patience and kindness.
I always enjoyed our conversations about new technology. Over the years, John supported every development we made to Skiworld’s systems, no matter how ambitious—or occasionally crazy—the idea seemed. His knowledge, encouragement and quiet dedication helped turn so many of those ideas into reality.
Skiworld simply wouldn’t be where it is today without John and everything he contributed over the past 18 years. He will be deeply missed, both as a trusted colleague and as a wonderful person. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
JB was just as much a friend as a colleague.
I wanted to share a story that defined him for me.
The first year John came out to france, he’d never really left zone 2 in London, so we thought we’d treat him to the best the summer Alps can offer. So we rented a wakeboard boat in Annecy and spent the morning with everyone except John having a go at wakeboarding. Then at lunch we drove over to the caves by Talloires where you can swim inside the caves and the water is crystal clear. So everyone dived off the boat and started heading in to the caves, and John tottered to the back of the boat and jumped in, before splashing around on the surface clearly in some distress. So I dived in and dragged him to the swim platform and plonked him on it… I said “whats wrong, what happened??”, and he stammered “I just remembered, I CAN’T SWIM!!”!!!
I asked him why he thought jumping off the back of a boat on the deepest lake in France was a good idea, and he simply said, “Well it was all so beautiful, that I just got caught up in the moment!”…..
And that was John to a tee, soembody navigating the best of life with an inquisitive attitude and really pleasant nature to those around him.
Taken too soon… I’ll miss you, brother… Thanks for all the wonderful memories.
Your friend, PK.
JB. Cant believe you are not there, ready as always to tell me to reboot!
I do not know where we would be without you…..and always with such humour, kindness and above all patience. You took Skiworld and the team through the biggest challenges a company faces – including an office fire! So can-do and nothing seemed a drama.
You did not fit the IT stereotype – you revolutionised it. I can still see you giggling on our last call and that summed you up. Just how did you keep your knowledge so up to date? How did you keep us going and cyber safe? So positive John. Whatever you did, it was always with a smile. I loved taking Eurovision with you. Learnt so much about guitars and trainers. Thank you JB.
Thinking of your family and sending love and support.
Working with JB for over 8 years was an absolute privilege. He brought incredible expertise to everything he did at Skiworld. No matter how hectic things got, his calm presence and readiness to help (often 24 hours a day…) made all the difference. He was a wonderful colleague and will be deeply missed by all of us. I can’t talk about JB without mentioning his other great passions in life: trainers, guitars, Japanese whiskey and smoking!
Rest in peace, JB.
Rob
While I only knew JB for a short time at Skiworld, it was immediately clear how patient and kind he was and how willing he was to help solve any problem. Rest in peace, JB. Thinking of your family during these difficult times. You’ll be greatly missed by all of us at Skiworld.
Annie
John is a Skiworld legend. As enigmatic in real life as he was available whenever you needed help. Able to deliver banterous quips with pristine comic timing and yet never offend anyone, he would have been at the top of many people’s list of favourite colleagues, and for the lucky few of us, a friend too.
Our little Ski-world is much emptier without JB, but my heartfelt thoughts go to his family and close friends, who I’m sure are hurting much more than us and will feel the pain for much longer.
Wherever you are John, I hope there’s plenty of empty tictac boxes to build a wall as big as you always dreamed of around your desk, enough pairs of ridiculously expensive trainers for you to wear fresh ones every day and an endless wall of guitars and basses that never go out of tune.
Love and respect, all the way up to 11
JB, you have been such a kind friend and a great support throughout the 18 years we worked together.
You packed so much into your short time and did more than most people do in a lifetime. You taught me how to buy and sell trainers, always helped me remember my passwords, and shared so many stories with me over the years. Those evenings up the pub, listening to your stories, had me in absolutely stitches. I’ll never forget your tales of fighting off the hackers and the games you used to play with them!
You brought so much humour, kindness and character wherever you went, and I feel very lucky to have known you for so many years.
You will be hugely missed, JB. Thank you for all the laughs, the support and the friendship. RIP JB ❤️.
Jenny xxx
I am so deeply saddened by the sudden loss of JB.
I want to thank him for his incredible hard work and commitment to Skiworld over the past 18 years. He was a key part of the management team and played an important role in Skiworld’s growth, living with us through all the highs and lows along the way.
JB was always incredibly quick to respond and, more importantly, extremely resourceful when it came to finding solutions. There always seemed to be a way forward with JB.
But it was his creativity, humour and individuality that made him so memorable. His passion for collecting and trading trainers was well known, and the imagery he created to sell them was always so imaginative. He had a real creative talent.
At our Christmas parties, JB would always throw himself completely into the theme, showing both his creativity and his wonderful sense of humour. And his sense of style was always on point, the hats, sweatshirts and trainers were coordinated to perfection!
I am going to miss you JB. You were such a big part of Skiworld and of our journey over the years, and it is incredibly hard to believe that you are no longer with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very sad time.
Rest in peace, JB.
JB gone? That is just too hard to take in. Skiworld’s IT and Johnny B have been synonymous for so long that it is difficult to imagine it being any other way.
John, in your cool, calm and collected but friendly way you did such a terrific job in keeping our IT fit for purpose that you will be one mighty hard act to follow.
You did so much for us and our teams over so many years, for which will be eternally grateful. Your devotion to keeping our show on the road, together with your infinite patience, good humour and sense of fun will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace John – you deserve nothing less.
JB – Thank you for being the man with endless patience when dealing with my silly little IT issues that I could have solved myself. I’ll always remember the deliveries of trainers showing up at the door, and the joy you gave Jenny by teaching her how to do it too!
You will be missed, and my thoughts are with your family xxxx
My dear Johnny Barcode,
I was so devastated on hearing the news, you were more than an a amazing colleague, you are an amazing friend too.
Always there to listen, talk and laugh through the good times and the bad! We led each other astray many times but it was always great fun.
RIP buddy, I still can’t believe you are gone.
Have fun up there
Lou
xxxxx
From the moment I entered the office a few months ago, I was made aware of the magnificent JB – a tech wizard who could solve any IT issue in mere seconds. Through just a few Teams messages, I quickly learnt that not only was he incredibly smart but also patient, kind, and always willing to help. Thank you JB for welcoming me to the team. My thoughts are with your family. You will be dearly missed at Skiworld.
Jess
JB it’s such a shock to hear that you’re gone. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to work with you previously. You were always there to help with IT issues or approve invoices, you were always kind and happy to help.
Rest in peace. My thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues at this sad time. JB you will be greatly missed 🕊️
Simone x
Very rarely I’m lost for words.
From the day I started at Skiworld and met JB to the day I left Skiworld, JB made me feel more welcome than anyone else.
Over the 5 years at Skiworld JB became much, much more than a colleague.
It was only a few months back we had spoken and was planning a visit to the Philippines. I’m gutted we didn’t get to do this.
Gutted. Sleep well JB
John had a gift most people spend a lifetime chasing and never find. He made everyone around him feel completely at ease. Never uncomfortable, never overlooked, always acknowledged. That’s rarer than it seems! i’ll never forget when he dressed as Oddjob for the Christmas party or when we would disappear into the server cupboard to vent about nothing in particular or when my desk had become unbearable. He always had time. He always listened. And somehow, he never once made it about himself, never a burden passed on.
He was an IT legend in the truest sense, the one quietly keeping the ship sailing while everyone else took it for granted. Diligent, pleasant, endlessly patient.
Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, responsible for a guitar collection that grew far beyond anything reasonable, in both his own home and now my home too. I’ll miss our music jams in the empty office after everyone had gone home.
He had an uncanny knack for getting hold of trainers before anyone else could.
More than any of that, John was just good. Genuinely, quietly good, a proper hero without ever asking to be seen as one. His smile was calm and restful, the kind that put you at ease before he’d even said a word.
He was an IT legend in every sense, and he was so much more than that too. He was John. And the world is a little less peaceful without him in it.
I wish I’d seen you more in these last years, mate.
Rest easy, John.
Ah man. I hear this news from so far away, and long removed from Skiworld but the sadness hits deep in the knowledge that such an awesome person is no longer with us.
JB was the man, evidentially from his professional life through to his personal.
Just a top bugger to be around.
A quiet character oozing positivity and genuine kindness. A shoulder to lean on no matter the situation.
Rest easy mate, and to all its effects, much love.
Absolutely devastated that you’ve been taken from us so soon, JB. You were not only a wonderful colleague but a truly good friend who brought kindness, humour, and joy to every day. I’ll always remember your generosity with your incredible knowledge, the laughter, and the after-work drinks we shared. I’ll never forget how you patiently taught us the art of buying and selling trainers, always sharing your expertise with such enthusiasm and making everyone feel included. Thinking of your family and sending my heartfelt condolences. Rest in peace, JB you will be deeply missed. ❤️
JB, The IT guru, always so patient, kind and willing to help no matter how big, or in my case small the issue! You always had a solution and were on hand to help with a smile on your face. I’ll remember the laughs we had at socials, and all of your amazing stories.
My thoughts are with your family and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you.
You will be greatly missed.
Yas
The world has lost a legend!
JB made time for everyone, would always give you a hand if you needed and what such a fun person to spend time with, he had some great stories, he always made me feel welcome and made me laugh! He was a treasured member of the Skiworld family, us past members and present will feel the hole he has left! Rest in peace JB, I hope where ever you are now there are lots of rare trainers!
I met John back in the days before Spotify, and when we found we had some shared taste in music he very kindly took my ipod and presented it to me a week or so later, completely full of mind-blowing heavy metal albums!
Since I left SW we’ve stayed in touch through the Skiworld fantasy football league, which he has run diligently for the last I don’t know how many years. RIP mate. You’ll be missed.
I had the pleasure of working alongside JB for the past seven years, he was always a great colleague, kind, helpful and a real character. He will be greatly missed around Skiworld. Rest in peace, JB. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
From the day I joined Skiworld, JB was always kind, warm and helpful. Thank you for being an amazing colleague, you will be missed. Rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.