Thank You
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.