Peter Burns of Witham, Essex, England and formerly of Dundee, Scotland died peacefully on 3rd May 2023, at home with his wife Mary after a long illness.He will be very sadly missed by Mary, his sister Joyce, niece Karen, grandniece Keirah and new great-grandniece Rosie, his large extended family in Dundee, Mary’s family in Kerry, and his many precious friends in the U.K., Ireland and around Europe.

Brought up in Dundee he thrived in the Education system attending Lawside Academy. He remained a Loyal and passionate supporter of Dundee FC throughout his life.  In 1966 (not a good year for him) he moved to London to join the Civil Service, on what was a short term placement which lasted 40 years! The most enjoyable assignments in the Civil Servants were negotiating international health agreements, where he was highly respected and made many friends across Europe.

In 1973 he met Mary, a somewhat contrived introduction, when he was best man at his friend's wedding. They married in 1975 in Kilburn North London, and they settled in Witham, where they lived happily for almost 50 years.

Peter enjoyed playing football, whenever he could, turning out for the Civil Service in London and Little Elms FC in Witham, where he made many lifelong friends.  

Getting too old for football, in 1990 he took up road running, and joined Witham Running Club, completing the London Marathon in 1991.  He had enormous strength, endurance and willpower and this was to lead him on a journey running several marathons across the UK and Europe over the next 26 years. In total he ran 270 marathons, including every one of the 23 Halstead Marathons up to 2017, the last one of which he completed, with oxygen cylinder, proudly wearing No 1 Competitor on his chest. 

After 100 marathons, as well as having a most enjoyable social event for his friends, he qualified for and joined The Hundred Marathon Club, where he made many friends on his travels around the UK and Europe.  

Throughout his adult life, Peter was very sociable, enjoying fine foods and wines, and bringing together many new and old friends.

In 2013, Peter was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, the debilitating and incurable condition, leading to progressive and spreading scarring of the lungs.  Developing research and treatment at Papworth Hospital, plus Peter's strength and determination, extended Peter's life to ten years against the predicted 3 to 5 years.  For this reason, Peter and Mary chose Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis as one of the designated charities by which we can donate to Peter's Memory.   They also chose Farleigh's Hospice, Chelmsford, who cared for and supported Mary and Peter when most needed.  

Rest In Peace