Passing of a ‘Sure and Steadfast’ veteran of Ballymena Boys’ Brigade

THE community of Ballymena and wider mid-Antrim area has been saddened by the death, last week, of Jack Burnett.

Mr Burnett, who had resided in recent years at Glenravel Fold, passed away last Monday. He was 84.

The youngest of three sons born to William and Agnes Burnett, he grew up in Harryville.

Although well known in Ballymena for his involvement with the oil trade over many years, he served his time after leaving school with the Ulster Transport Authority as a coach builder for trains.

It was in 1951 that he ventured into the oil business.

He joined his brother Jim when they were given the opportunity of setting up an Esso Oil dealership at the Woodside Road and for over half a century afterwards the two traded as Burnett Brothers.

Jack was mostly involved in the office and Jim on deliveries and, in the course of time, Jack’s son Reid joined the hihgly successful family business.

Outside work, Jack had a great passion for the Boys’ Brigade and was a lifelong member.

At the rank of Sergeant he was the first winner of the King`s Badge (now the Queen’s Badge) in the Company during the 1945-46 Session. The Award is the highest to be gained by a young man in the BB.

He served as an officer in the 2nd Ballymena Company at Wellington Street and, in 1972, was elected President of the Ballymena and District Battalion – a position he held for 23 years with distinction.

He also served for a period on the Northern Ireland Executive of the BB and was subsequently appointed a honorary Life President of the Battalion.

One of the highlights of his BB career was to represent the Battalion at the Centenary celebrations in New Zealand in 1983 when he also paid a visit to his brother Bobby whom he hadn’t seen for 26 years.

During those celebrations, Jack, who was a founder member of the BB Centenary Choir, used his fine singing skills and musical abilities to make recordings which were sold to raise funds for the BB.

He was keen member of the Ballymena Presbytery Choir and also of the Seven Towers Male Choir and the choir of West Church.

A man of great faith, Jack was involved with the Christian Endeavour Movement both at West Church and at Wellington Street and was also involved with the leadership of West Church’s Saturday Night At Eight.

He was elected to the ruling eldership by the congregation and ordained by the Presbytery of Ballymena in 1958.

More recently he established and led the Friendship Club, a meeting for West Church senior citizens, for many years.

Jack was, above all, very much a family man, devoted to his wife, to whom he had been married for almost 60 years, and to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Interred at Ballymena Cemetery last Thursday following a funeral service in West Presbyterian Church, he is survived by wife, Madge; children Elizabeth and Reid; grandchildren Lisa, David, Jonathan, Andrew and Kara; great-grandchildren Adam, Jamie and Ariana, and wider family circle.

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