My Tommy We are all here because Tom Burns loved us. He loved his friends and family - his colleagues and his students. Thomas William Burns was kind and generous - he always wanted the best for you - he helped people be their best selves. Tommy’s love was infinite Tommy was also the bravest person I know - in being a working class academic who kept his East End accent - his humanity, generosity and communality. Who married me! And in the way he faced the worst news we ever got just two months after our wedding. Tommy and I found each other - we worked together - wrote together - and taught together. Together we discovered that love matters. It’s a fundamental principle - in education - and in life. We all know this. But so many people put love in a box - for special occasions - but with Tommy - he was brave enough to live it - to show it - to offer it. Tommy’s love was infinite. I’m so happy he loved me - and you - and I’m so very sad he has left us: He WAS my north, my south, my east, my west My working week and my Sunday rest. My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that HE would last forever: I was wrong.