Jeffrey Burdon's Obituary
Devoted to service in the here and now
Retirement never meant time to take it easy to Jeff; it meant instead that he could devote more of his time and prodigious energy to enriching the lives of his extended family and friends. His retired life included a thousand swim meets, games, and recitals. Whether you lived "back home" in England, nearby to his Central Florida home, or on the other side of the world, Jeff was in touch, involved, and intensely concerned with your well-being.
We all should have such a mentor or go-to person. Jeff was everyone's. Financial worries; computer trouble; home improvement needs; gardening problems; Jeopardy questions; book and film recommendations; cooking advice; a sounding board for family issues; or an extra strong set of arms: family, friends, and neighbors called Jeff. And if you were sick, he was at your doorway with something that you needed.
Jeff had a particular way of inciting you to become as passionate about your own interests as he was passionate about his – especially if it included a passion for rock-n-roll, the 1960s British music invasion, or Newcastle United football ("soccer"). Having Jeff as a friend made you a better friend. Seeing Jeff with his beloved Marilyn made you a better spouse.
Jeff died quite unexpectedly of a brain aneurism on November 4, 2015. He was 69. Born in Newcastle, England, he and Marilyn fell in love with Florida while vacationing here in 1991, bought a house, never left, and became US citizens.
Jeff maintained a great store of electronics and computer knowledge that he made available to everyone who needed it. He worked in computer and business management for many years, and still maintained a consulting relationship with several firms and former co-workers who often turned to him for advice and thorny problem-solving. Jeff passed his great knowledge and love of the computer world to his son Tim, launching him in his successful international career in computer consulting, and later with his son-in-law Manuel.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marilyn (Collins) Burdon, their daughter Natalie (Burdon) Cocurull and her husband Manuel Cocurull and their children Ellen and Alexander, of Oviedo FL, and their son Timothy Burdon, his wife Gioanna Burdon, and their children Desiree, Alistar, and Skylar, of Singapore. Also greatly missing Jeff are his brother Thomas Burdon and his wife Eleanor, sister Anne Burdon Valero, and his very dear mother-in-law Vera Collins and sister-in-law Alison Collins, as well as Jeff's long-time friends Alex Daisley, Jim French, Vince Scudder, and Pat Williamson. Jeff and Marilyn's new friends in the Lakes of Mount Dora community are holding Marilyn close in this time of loss.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors, 326 E. Orange Ave., Eustis, FL 32726, (352)357-4193. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall.
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