Heartfelt tributes to First Choice Homes chair

TRIBUTES . . . Harry Burns

TRIBUTES have been paid to Harry Burns, the chair of First Choice Homes Oldham — a man dedicated to putting tenants at the heart of decisions.

Mr Burns, who had a long and distinguished history of community service, died at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Royton after dedicating more than three decades of his life to improving the lives of local tenants.

Councillors joined colleagues at First Choice Homes in paying their respects to a man they described as “a proper Oldhamer” who had “real conviction and dedication”.

Mr Burns made his mark early in life as a trade union convenor, and after retiring he became a full-time volunteer community worker.

He chaired and ran his local tenants’ association for years, and sat on many voluntary groups, receiving the British Empire Medal for his ommunity service in 1990. He was the recipient of Oldham’s first Civic Appreciation Award in 2012.

Harry was a founder member and vice chairman of the First Choice Homes Oldham board in 2002, becoming chairman two years later.

Cath Green, chief executive of FCHO, led the tributes: “Harry was a born and bred Oldhamer, immensely proud of his town and always striving for the very best for its people.

“He was a joy to work with, and was always committed to ensuring that FCHO makes a real difference to tenants’ lives and to the town as a whole. He will be sadly missed by the FCHO family.”

Current FCHO vice-chair and interim chairman Bernie Callaghan added: “Harry was a real inspiration to many and a really genuine and kind man. The board is extremely grateful for everything Harry did for FCHO, which is far too much to list. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing.”

Mr Burns, who died on Tuesday, leaves his wife of more than 50 years Louise and two grown-up daughters.