Mike Burford Obituary, Death Cause – The demise of our dearly loved Honorary Chief, Mike Burford, is something that we must announce with sorrowful hearts. He has gone on ahead of us to be with Patsy, the love of his life, in the heavenly realm. The way Mike lived his life was a demonstration of his unyielding devotion to his family and his great passion for the Fire Service. Mike worked as the Magnolia Valley Volunteer Fire Department in New Port Richey’s Assistant Chief, also fondly referred to as “Chief 2,” for more than twenty years. During that time, he was given the nickname “Chief 2.”
During this period, he transformed into a steadfast source of strength and motivation for everyone who had the honor of getting to know him. A good number of us had the opportunity to work under his direction, and we all thought of him as an excellent guide. Mike’s influence was felt far beyond the confines of the fire station. He was instrumental in the formation and expansion of the tight-knit community that exists inside our fire department and is affectionately known as the Krewe. Because of his personality and the significant impact he had on each of us throughout the course of our careers,
we now have the tight relationships and unbreakable camaraderie that we did not start out with. To tell you the truth, if it were not for Mike’s long legacy, the Krewe simply would not exist in its current form. While we are saddened by his passing, we will always remember the countless lives he changed and the indelible mark he has left behind. We shall mourn him very much, but we will always be able to draw strength and direction from his memories. Information regarding the funeral will be distributed as soon as it is made available. Thank you for your service and for having such an unbreakable spirit, sir. May you rest in peace.
