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
Steven
18th April 2024