The family of Jeff Burd would like to thank friends, teammates and members of the community
who have shown their over-whelming love and support. Below is a speech which was read on the
behalf of the Burd family at Jeff's funeral.
Although this is a time of great sorrow and grieving over the sudden loss of our beloved
son, it should also be a time of thankfulness for his presence in our lives and a celebration
of his life and the person he had become.
All of you in this church tonight, as well as many others, have come to know Jeff in one
capacity or another, from casual acquaintance to the dearest of friends and family. The
large number of lives Jeff has touched and been touched by in his short lifetime is truly amazing.
Jeff has always been a source of pride to us from the time that God brought him to us over
16 years ago, until his final hours last Thursday. He always kept busy with one activity or
another and always gave 110% to whatever activity he was involved with at the time.
Jeff had many loves in his life: family, his sister Sara, our dog Winston, families of close
friends, schoolmates, teammates, sports (especially hockey), listening to music and surfing.
He was a wonderful brother to his big sister Sara. As young children they were inseparable,
and when the teen years came, Jeff learned how to tease and get under his sister's skin. But it was
always clear how much love and admiration he had for her.
Jeff developed into a fine young man and had achieved many accomplishments in his short life.
He was a loving son and brother, and a good friend to others, as well as an excellent student and
athlete. We were impressed by his modesty. He was a gentle young man of few words with a big
heart. We can only wonder the many good things that he would have accomplished during his lifetime.
We will miss Jeff so very much; the way he'd stand behind his Dad's chair after dinner and give
him a big hug; the way he cuddled on the couch with his Mom, not saying a word, but showing how
much he loved her in his own way; and talking sports with his Dad. But most of all, we'll miss his
presence in our lives.
Jeff was taken suddenly last Thursday and his death shocked many. The outpouring of love and
support from family, friends and community has been simply overwhelming and we would like to
express our gratitude to all of you. You have touched us deeply. What a wonderful world it would
be if we could all reach out and care for one another that way each day.
It is our faith and hope through Jesus Christ that Jeff's soul is now at peace in Heaven under
our Lord's loving care for eternity. We give thanks and praise for that. We would ask that you
all remember our son and our family in your prayers.
