My wonderful Dad passed away peacefully at 23:50 01/04/24. He was comfortable and didn't feel any pain. He knew we were with him right until the very end. He gave our hands a little squeeze every now and then. We played his favourite music to him, Kenny Rogers was always his number 1. We chatted to him even though he couldn't respond and made him part of the conversation as we shared lovely memories from his life. Mom and I are both holding up but so incredibly heart broken that he's gone. He was such a great man and a true rock to our family, I already miss him terribly. Just thinking that I won't ever be able to hug him again hurts my heart. His voice will forever be in my head and I will treasure his many words of wisdom. I'm so immensely proud to have had him as my Dad. He was one of the strongest, kindest people you could have ever wished to meet. I'm so lucky to have had him as such a huge part of my life. He was saved from going through dementia, he was sadly diagnosed with early on set in late January, he was a bit forgetful but at least it didn't have a chance to take hold of him. I can only think of this as a small blessing. He didn't deserve to go through that. It just would have been nice to have him with us for a little bit longer. He was still so full of love right up until the end. He'll be reunited with our family in the sky, his mom and dad, my brother and sister and nanny plus many others who were taken from us too soon. Rest easy Dad, you'll forever be in my heart. 🕊️❤️

My Dad, My Hero. John Robert Burford, JRB. Even his initials were great to me. A big, strong man, with a big daft grin, he could always make me happy, even when things seemed grim. He was a footballer and athlete in his younger days. He would show me his old Elmore Green school photos, all, in a black and white haze. At Blakenhall FC he was known as Big Bad John, named after the song, you know, the country & western one. I would love to be like my dad, I would think, be a great footballer, and have a few beers to drink. As I got older, I saw dad the businessman, a man in a suit, a well-respected salesman. Where ever we went, people would say ‘Hey John how are you, whats happening today’ ? How does he know all these people I would ask. Well, I can give you a clue, its not a big task. With that big daft grin and his friendly chat, who wouldn’t be happy to know a man like that. Now most of you will know my dad loved fishing with a passion. But did you know I made that sport his fashion. I remember coming home one day, ‘look Dad I have bought some fishing hooks’ I said ‘what have you done that for’ he looked, shaking his head. A few years later my dad was hooked. And over many years at Kings, in competitions, we were booked. He may have told you he caught the biggest fish. But I will always claim, mine was the biggest on the dish! As a final note, I think I should finish, as the light in dads eyes has finally diminished. I just hope dad, as you look down from your cloud, that my path through life made you very, very proud. Steve, Jayne, Charlie, Jack, Alice, Alfie & Florence

John, a giant of a man but a bigger and greater human, whether seen and heard daily or once in a while, to know you was wonderful, laughter and love our bond, we will always remember you with a smile. With love from Kathleen (give her a hug), Neville and Paul xxx