John Anthony Burd's Memorial
Donation protected
John Anthony Burd passed away at home in the early morning hours of January 10th (with their family dog Bingo by his side) from an accidental drug overdose, barely a week after the birth of his second son. His family finds comfort knowing he is up there holding Thompson Michael - their first born son who tragically passed just after birth. They are soaring through heaven together now. Two very special lives lost far too soon, but never to be forgotten.
As his friends would say... #flyhighburdman
"Birds of the same feature flock together" - Proverb
At the young age of 28, John leaves behind his beloved Brittany of more than 10 years and their two beautiful children, Scarlett Mae and Holden Anthony. His best bud and faithful companion, Bingo (their big puppy dog - that was with him until the very end). As well as, his mother and siblings, friends/family. He connected with so many in his lifetime, that was tragically cut short from a relapse, after 2 healthy years of sobriety.
Brittany and John's love story began at the early age of 16. They were high school sweethearts and have lived together ever since, as John moved in with Brittany's family at just 17. They grew up together and created a family of their own. Their bond was remarkably unbreakable.
John's long and hard struggle with addiction began at 19 years of age, after the tragic passing of his father. His addiction landed him in jail a few times throughout the years. Not only did Brittany have to take care of John at times, she also had to take care of their daughter on her own while he served his sentences. She's worked very hard to provide and build a home for her family, where she found John unresponsive in her basement and preformed CPR until the paramedics arrived. He was just too far gone to be revived and was pronounced dead on scene.
John was always there for Brittany, when he was sober. He was a good man, with an addiction he tried to overcome. When their daughter was just 3 months old, Brittany returned to work with his help. He had a very special bond with Scarlett. We all could clearly see a difference when he was present in her life. The coming days will be very difficult for her as she asks for him. She knows that her dad had an accident, that he passed away, that he is dead and will not be coming back. She cried. She is sad at times, but she doesn't understand.
With a nursing newborn as well, Brittany needs to be with her baby now and experience the joy every mother deserves. She needs to grieve the loss of her beloved John, too. Understandably, she will not be returning to work for some time and she shouldn't have to deal with the additional financial burdens that come along with his death. John did not have a life insurance policy and we are unsure how much (if any) the kids will receive in death benefits.
John was a truly loving father and his family is so proud of the progress he had made for them. He tried so damn hard these past couple of years, battling his addiction, working to provide and take care of them. He had been clean for 2 years, regularly attending AA, working consistently and was finally freed of all previous charges against him! John was happy. He did not mean to take his life. The paramedics said he had probably just taken what he was use to, but it had been so long since the last time he used... His body just couldn't take it anymore. His soul is flying free now as a #freeburd with his flock in heaven, his son and father beside him.
Addiction is so very hard for us to understand. As many know, it doesn't just affect the person. It touches the lives of so many around them. It is an ugly disease/disorder, whatever you want to call it. We still don't fully understand 'It' as a society.
“For a hundred years now we’ve been singing war songs about addicts. I think all along we should have been singing love songs to them. Because the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.” - Johann Hari, author of the New York Times best-selling book “Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs"
Please share John's story and help his family through this very difficult time. Brittany is now a single mother to a 5 year old girl and newborn baby boy, at the young age of 28. With your help, his family would like to see his body buried with their first born son, who lived for only an hour (after being born premature) but made a huge impact on their lives. His soul passed peacefully in their arms and his tiny body was laid to rest with his grandfather (John's dad). Any contributions toward funeral costs and a memorial service would be greatly appreciated at this time of need.
As his friends would say... #flyhighburdman
"Birds of the same feature flock together" - Proverb
At the young age of 28, John leaves behind his beloved Brittany of more than 10 years and their two beautiful children, Scarlett Mae and Holden Anthony. His best bud and faithful companion, Bingo (their big puppy dog - that was with him until the very end). As well as, his mother and siblings, friends/family. He connected with so many in his lifetime, that was tragically cut short from a relapse, after 2 healthy years of sobriety.
Brittany and John's love story began at the early age of 16. They were high school sweethearts and have lived together ever since, as John moved in with Brittany's family at just 17. They grew up together and created a family of their own. Their bond was remarkably unbreakable.
John's long and hard struggle with addiction began at 19 years of age, after the tragic passing of his father. His addiction landed him in jail a few times throughout the years. Not only did Brittany have to take care of John at times, she also had to take care of their daughter on her own while he served his sentences. She's worked very hard to provide and build a home for her family, where she found John unresponsive in her basement and preformed CPR until the paramedics arrived. He was just too far gone to be revived and was pronounced dead on scene.
John was always there for Brittany, when he was sober. He was a good man, with an addiction he tried to overcome. When their daughter was just 3 months old, Brittany returned to work with his help. He had a very special bond with Scarlett. We all could clearly see a difference when he was present in her life. The coming days will be very difficult for her as she asks for him. She knows that her dad had an accident, that he passed away, that he is dead and will not be coming back. She cried. She is sad at times, but she doesn't understand.
With a nursing newborn as well, Brittany needs to be with her baby now and experience the joy every mother deserves. She needs to grieve the loss of her beloved John, too. Understandably, she will not be returning to work for some time and she shouldn't have to deal with the additional financial burdens that come along with his death. John did not have a life insurance policy and we are unsure how much (if any) the kids will receive in death benefits.
John was a truly loving father and his family is so proud of the progress he had made for them. He tried so damn hard these past couple of years, battling his addiction, working to provide and take care of them. He had been clean for 2 years, regularly attending AA, working consistently and was finally freed of all previous charges against him! John was happy. He did not mean to take his life. The paramedics said he had probably just taken what he was use to, but it had been so long since the last time he used... His body just couldn't take it anymore. His soul is flying free now as a #freeburd with his flock in heaven, his son and father beside him.
Addiction is so very hard for us to understand. As many know, it doesn't just affect the person. It touches the lives of so many around them. It is an ugly disease/disorder, whatever you want to call it. We still don't fully understand 'It' as a society.
“For a hundred years now we’ve been singing war songs about addicts. I think all along we should have been singing love songs to them. Because the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.” - Johann Hari, author of the New York Times best-selling book “Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs"
Please share John's story and help his family through this very difficult time. Brittany is now a single mother to a 5 year old girl and newborn baby boy, at the young age of 28. With your help, his family would like to see his body buried with their first born son, who lived for only an hour (after being born premature) but made a huge impact on their lives. His soul passed peacefully in their arms and his tiny body was laid to rest with his grandfather (John's dad). Any contributions toward funeral costs and a memorial service would be greatly appreciated at this time of need.
Co-organizers (4)
Amber Pape
Organizer
Fort Wayne, IN
Brittany Pape
Beneficiary
Susan Pape
Co-organizer
Ellie Pape
Co-organizer