Tim will be remembered for kind ways and sharp wit
ON Thursday, June 16, we in Valentia Island laid to rest our dearly respected and much loved neighbour Tim Burton of Upper Tennis, who passed away very peacefully at the age of 88 in the Tralee General Hospital on Monday, June 13th.
Tim, a bachelor, spent much of his working life in the building sites of England, travelling extensively in search of work and was described on Thursday by a friend as being akin to a small digger, being a diligent and tough worker. He worked also in gas and water projects. He emigrated to England in 1951 and returned permanently to live in Valentia in 1985.Having returned home ,he worked as a farmer and built up a considerable reputation for his ability to set good potatoes and vegetables and was quite generous to neighbours with his produce.
He will be most fondly remembered in Valentia for his gentle and kind ways and his many witty and memorable utterances. Who will ever forget also the saga of his missing suitcase at the wedding of his nephew G.G O’Sullivan and wife Ann in Blessington, Co. Wicklow in 1983 and the input his niece Eileen Ann had in the whole event.
Tim, a dapper dresser throughout his life, liked nothing better than to socialise with friends and neighbours in the Portmagee and Valentia environs, travelling regularly in latter years by way of his small familiar blue Suzuki, christened by family members as ’’ The Pope Mobile.’’ He was an unassuming, in offensive and witty man. A pleasure with whom to socialise and always good company.
During the course of the last few years he was compelled to give up driving, due to failing health. Socially, this was a huge and very significant blow to him, but his nephew Bobby Burton and Bobby’s wife Helen took turns to drive him to his social venues. He was thus able to continue to socialise and meet friends and neighbours up to very recently. His other family members are very grateful to Bobby and Helen for giving Tim this vital comfort and pleasure at the end of his days.
Tim’s Requiem mass was celebrated by Fr Larry Kelly, accompanied by readings by family members and a talk on his life by his niece Maureen Kelly. Burial took place afterwards on a sunny summer day in Kilmore. Family and friends adjourned afterwards to the Royal Hotel to celebrate the long and fulfilled life of a good old friend, neighbour and decent man.
Sincere condolences are offered to his nephew Bobby and Bobby’s wife Helen, sister Cautie and family (USA), nephews Michael Burton, G.G.and Timmy O’Sullivan, nieces, Maureen and Eileen Ann, in-laws, grand nephews and nieces and all concerned. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam uasal.