Tributes have been paid to a Handforth councillor who died after a short illness last week.
Councillor Barry Burkhill, 83, passed away at his home on Saturday, 19th November.
Barry, who moved to Handforth in the early 1970s, had a melanoma removed from his face two years ago but silently, and unbeknownst to anybody, it had tracked to his brain and lungs.
His wife Sue said "It was a huge profound shock but it did mean that his passing was swift, it overtook him in a matter of weeks."
She added "We are so glad we were able to bring him home last Thursday, with the help of all the staff at Wythenshawe Hospital so he passed away at home."
The former secondary school maths and science teacher, was first elected as a borough Councillor in 1979 and, as Sue explained, "he was being a councillor until his last breath, which was nearly 45 years."
The father of three has left behind his wife Sue, three children from his first marriage - Victoria Burkhill, Richard Burkhill and Lydia Little, along with three grandchildren - Harry, James and Beth Little.
Barry is also survived by his sister, Joy, and three step children Jonathan and Alexander Bidwell and Fey Napier and two step grandchildren Ruaridh and Kai Napier.
Sue told me "When we met back in 1994, and my father subsequently met him, he believed I had met that truly rare thing - a very good man.
"He was absolutely honest, had great integrity, a passionate defender of the underdog and he touched many people's lives.
"We have been overwhelmed by the huge number of cards and messages of sympathy at his passing."
Amongst those paying tribute to Barry Burkhill are the Friends of Handforth Station who were very saddened to hear of the death of one of their founder members.
Barry helped to found FoHS in 1996 and was a FoHS committee member for many of the years since then.
Mike Bishop, fellow founder of FoHS and current President of FoHS, said "Barry was a dedicated supporter of Handforth Station, most noticeably campaigning for improved access to the platforms and widened footpaths."
Barry attended many FoHS events in his Cheshire Mayor Regalia and he often represented FoHS at local meetings held by the Community Rail Partnership and Cheshire Best Kept Stations, as well as being a regular attendee at the annual national Community Rail Network conferences.
Mike added "Barry worked on many of our monthly Work Parties at the station, using his own ancient lopping shears instead of those offered by the rest of our group. We shall miss him."
The FoHS have lowered their FoHS flag at the station to half-mast, to commemorate Barry's work on behalf of the local station.
Photo: Barry Burkhill far right.
