Daughter of Henry Burke gives pen portrait to Hillsborough inquests surrounded by family

Christine Burke, the daughter of Henry Burke gave her statement about her father surrounded by family.

"He was a loving husband to his wife Christine and a devoted father to his children. Our dad was only 47 years old when he was taken from us.

"Our dad was a funny man and often had people in fits of laughter leaving our mum bemused as to why everyone found him so funny.

"He always used to say that children aren’t naughty, it’s just that you have to entertain them."That being said, our dad was old-school and brought us up to have manners and to respect people.

Most importantly, he taught us right from wrong.

"He was an extremely supportive father and used to tell us that we could achieve anything we put our minds to. I used to often confide in my dad and there have been many occasions since his passing that I have wanted to turn to him for advice. We all truly miss his supportive nature."

Miss Burke told a story of how her dad was an attractive man with dark hair but had started going grey."We all laughed and said he was having a midlife crisis. I suggested he try some Grecian 2000 men’s hair dye."

She bought the blackest hair dye she could find and told him to leave it in for half an hour instead of ten minutes.

"Mum said he looked like the oldest swinger in town. Luckily, dad saw the funny side of this."Henry Burke's daughter was in tears as she recalled the family home.

"We called it the mad house, but that mad house was full of all the fun, love and laughter you could ever wish for as young children."

Mr Burke spent a lot of time with his son, Ian.

A short boy, he taught Ian how to make his a wooden stool to stand on when they went to see football matches together on the Kop. Ian recalled having to thrown the wooden stool over the turnstiles.

"Our dad was my mum’s rock and life and they used to do everything together. They first met at the age of 21 and were looking forward to a long life together.

"It was their 25th wedding anniversary soon after the tragedy and we had arranged a surprise party for them both and a trip to Rome, but that day never came for him and our mum.

"All that mum has left are the memories of her time with my dad.Mr Burke had three sisters and four brothers.

"Our dad loved all his siblings dearly but had a special love for Anthony who was the youngest and had Down syndrome.

It broke my heart when at my dad’s funeral Anthony said ‘Not my Henry” when his coffin went past.

"Dad always said if anything happened to his parents he would look after Anthony but sadly dad died before his parents. Anthony died last year at age 59.

"Our mum has been deprived of spending her later years with her husband and is saddened by the fact that she was unable to experience these times together.

"Our dad used to tell our mum he couldn’t wait to have grandchildren and look after them. He would talk about taking them to the pier and on the ferry, the things he did with us as children.

"This was taken away from him and our mum longs to have those days with him and their grandchildren.

"As the only girl, I was a real daddy’s girl and he used to make me everywhere he went. He used to always say that he would give me a big white wedding one day, that every daughter dreamt of.

But that day never came and I have never been able to get married as it is something I will never be able to do without my day.

"My dad now has a beautiful granddaughter Cherie’s whom he would be very proud of.

My daughter Cherie will make a beautiful bride one day and I will make sure she has the wedding I always wanted, with her dad there to give her away.

Miss Burke sobbed in court as she finished reading the pen portrait.

"We never loved anyone as much as we loved our dad. He was always there for us to protect us, guide us and advise us and I wanted just that one time to be there for him as he was lying on that pitch on his own, to hold his hand like he held my hand through my life.

"We weren’t. None of his family were and we have to live with that every single day."