MICHAEL EDMUND WILLS BURBRIDGE
LEADING GUERNSEY POLITICIAN DIES
One of Guernsey's most respected politicians, serving the community for some 16 years - Deputy Mike Burbridge - died on 27 June at the age of 73. We of course knew Mike as an active member of CEDA & of CEDABOND. He was one of the original founders of CEDA and had served on the early CEDA BUYING COMMITTEE which sought to improve buying terms with Suppliers in General.
A few years later it was agreed that the only practical way forward was a Company separate from Association General Business & CEDABOND was formed on 16 March 1977. He was elected a Director of CEDABOND at its formation & was appointed Chairman at the AGM in May 1983 until his retirement on 16 May 1995. He is survived by his daughter Paula and son Nigel.
A tribute by Bob McNab
Mike was born, in London , on 26 June 1932 . He attended Wallop Preparatory School , Weybridge and in 1944 transferred to Gosfield School , near Halstead, Essex where he became head boy in 1949. He served as a junior shipping clerk before joining the RAF on a short term commission in 1951. When he left the RAF he joined a Scottish Company as a trainee tea taster with a view to travelling overseas. This led to him, being appointed to James Finlay Calcutta Tea Buying Company with whom he worked for various spells in Colombo , Ceylon and Cochin , South India .
In 1958 Mike married Connie who returned with him to India where Nigel was born in 1962, followed by Paula in Guernsey in 1966. When they settled in Guernsey , in 1963, Mike established his own business, which e
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Mike, 'Del Boy' & Claire Le Pelley | mbraced various agencies for Biscuits, custard powder and jellies, followed by Plumrose Meats and Tetley Tea. This was shortly followed by the Hotel and Catering Company and a Publication Division selling paperbacks.
Mike was a keen sportsman and enjoyed, at various times, Golf, Hockey, Rugby and at different times represented Guernsey and South India . He was always involved in Community affairs & was a very active Member of the Guernsey Rotary Club & was due to be installed as Chairman on Wednesday 29 June. He served as President of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce in 1973/4. After the recent tsunami disaster Mike organized a special auction which raised thousands of pounds for the appeal.
Mike was never a "yes" man and would stick to his opinion on a particular plan or policy - for this he was widely respected. He was a man of many talents and unbounded enthusiasm and energy. It was an honour and privilege to work with him as a colleague and enjoy him as
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Mike, 'Del Boy' & Bob McNab | a very special friend.
For those who attended the CEDABOND Workshop in May, our memory will be of Mike in good form, and sharing some of his memories of CEDABOND.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
Among the hundreds present at Mike's funeral in St. Martin's Church, Guernsey on 5 July representing our Industry were: CEDABOND Chairman Martin Kemp, Past Chairman, Bob McNab, Director Mike Nunn, former Director Kevin Bevis, David North (former CEDA Secretary), Peter Stott and his wife and John Wright and Maureen.
The pictures show Mike enjoying himself with 'Del Boy' on the occasion of Bob McNabs' retirement.
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