Roy Burgess

“Memories are precious they don’t go away, we think of you always and not just today.”

Roy passed away peacefully at home on Thursday 18th July, knowing that he was loved and cared for by all his family, aged 89 years.

The beloved husband of Pamela, devoted dad of David, Gaynor, Andrea and her husband Paul. Also a loving grandad of Stephanie, Kate, Kristian and Luke and great grandad of Holly, Dylan, Lacey, Mia, Elliot and William.

Roy was born in Crewe on 4th April 1930, to proud parents Elizabeth and George, sadly his dad died when Roy was only three and his mother raised him single handed. Roy was always grateful to his mother for her devotion.  He had a brother, Harry who was killed in the war.

He attended Ludford Street school and after his education he got a job in Crewe Works at the age of 14. At first he was an office lad, delivering messages. Then in the tool room on a milling machine and finally to the erecting shop. At the age of 20 Roy did his National Service and was stationed at Marchwood in Hampshire. He was so happy when his grandson Luke was sent to the exact same barracks 60 years later when he joined the forces. Roy returned to Crewe Railway Works as a wages clerk in Ten Shop and finally to the Loco Stores where a great many came to hold him in high regard. He was also a bookmaker on the course. He had a mentally agile brain and was naturally numeric. He travelled to many race courses all over the country with George Simpson Bookmakers, amongst others. Roy left the Works in 1951 to work in Rolls Royce, but only briefly. It was here that he met Pam. They were both dancers and had trained in Crewe but never met before. Pam and Roy married in 1954 in St. Paul’s Church, Hightown.

Roy loved horse racing, a love he shared with his son David, also football and cricket, he had trials at Port Vale F.C. Roy loved his holidays in Torquay and Blackpool, his favourite holiday destinations were Spain, Torquay and Blackpool.

He was a song and dance man and worked in the clubs, singing and dancing and he was part of a double act called Ford and Lane. He was also a member of the Crackerjacks Concert Party with whom he toured the northern club scene. He was to become affectionately known as “Birdy”. He loved entertaining and had a dry sense of wit but punctuality was not his best asset.

Roy was a Union Rep in the stores and he took it very seriously and represented many people. He was a staunch socialist, when the term still meant that.

Roy retired when he was 58 years old and his family have said that he always had a zest for life, was always full of fun, very sociable, always one of the boys, a definite crowd pleaser. Many people have talents or special abilities but it is rare that someone is funny and genuinely humorous but Roy was just that, and his family will remember him especially for this.

Roy’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 31st July in St. Michael’s Church, Coppenhall at 11am, followed by cremation.

Donations in memory of Roy will be gratefully received on behalf of St. Luke’s Hospice.

For any further information regarding Roy’s funeral please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.