Springbourne Homes Chairman Adrian Burr has paid an emotional tribute to his father James Burr who helped found our award-winning company in 1993.
Mr Burr passed away aged 83 and his funeral took place at Nuneaton Crematorium on the 4th July, which would have been his 84th birthday.
His full name was James Charles Norman Wood Burr and he was the first chairman of the company which he formed with Adrian 29 years ago, supporting his son in creating such a successful business. He also founded P P & B Hinckley Ltd and Burrs Pharmacy, a collection of chemist shops across North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire, with other sons Andrew and Michael following him into that business.
Mr Burr was a significant member of the Nuneaton Community since re-locating from Aberdeen 60 years ago. He married local girl Pat Ashby, originally from Heath End Road, in 1964. He was a magistrate for 30 years, Chairman of the Rotary Club, Round Table, Manor Court Care Home and Governor of Chetwynd School.
Adrian paid tribute to his dad saying: “My proudest memory of my Dad sums up his character perfectly. I went to George Eliot School which had kids from all backgrounds and I remember coming home with the school cricket team photo, with me sitting in the middle of the front row as Captain. Either side of me, were the better off kids from Whitestone and Bulkington resplendent in their own whites, and on the back row the kids from Hill Top, Caldwell and Bermuda sporting black trousers and white, round-necked T shirts.
I proudly and naively showed Dad the photo. At the time it felt like he’d just given it a cursory look and uttered a quick ‘Well done son .’ It wasn’t until 35 years later that I fully realised the impact that photo had made on him. My old sports master Colin Jones let me in on the secret that Dad, having seen the photo, had approached close friend Arnold Phillips – a local sports wholesaler – to make sure the whole George Eliot team were kitted out in proper whites – that was the measure of the man, Dad levelling up in society long before it became a catchphrase.”
Adrian’s twin brother Andrew, added: “Dad’s work ethic was amazing. He was an old traditionalist in approach – his word was his bond. He was a fair man with integrity and he was always prepared to give people a chance. He was firm but under-stated and railed against injustice and inequality.
He became a key figure in his adopted town but, as a proud Scot, he definitely brought a piece of Scotland to Nuneaton too. On Burns night locally he was frequently asked to address the Haggis, something he thoroughly enjoyed and did brilliantly in true Rabbie Burns style!”
In his younger days he was a keen sportsman. He was a schoolboy county cricketer for Aberdeenshire as a fearsome fast bowler and a keen tennis player at Griff & Coton in Heath End Rd. He was also a keen hockey player and later an umpire at Nuneaton hockey club.
He was a stalwart of Nuneaton Bowls Club and his greatest sporting achievement was winning the prestigious Weston Super Mare Bowls tournament, a rank outsider beating some of the UK’s finest bowlers.
He lived in Lutterworth Road, Nuneaton, in the penthouse apartment of a complex built by Springbourne Homes and named after him, Charleswood Court.
The family hope this helps paint a picture of a great man, who enjoyed an amazing life and leaves a remarkable legacy. He lived respected, died regretted!
James and Patricia Burr with great friend and former Nuneaton Co-op boss Hughie Todner.
For more, please visit : https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/tributes-after-great-nuneaton-man-24399140
