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Obituary
Bob Burleigh, 86 years old, died peacefully, late November 2, surrounded by family.
Married 60 years to Margaret (Leslie), loving and involved father for sons Mark, David, and Michael. Loving father-in-law to Stephanie, Suzanne, and Kristin. Proud grandfather of Luke, Kate, Grace and Elise Burleigh and proud uncle to his nieces and nephews who enjoyed his unwavering love, support, and silly sense of humour.
Born Robert Mark Burleigh on December 3, 1936, in Trenton, Ontario to Oscar and Zelda Burleigh. Bob is predeceased by brothers Charles and Arlen, survived by sister Pam (Lionel Cloutier), and remembered fondly by sisters-in-law Barbara, Val, Anne (Bill) and brothers-in-law Patrick (Brenda) and Jack (Sharon). Bob attended Trenton High School where he developed a passion for learning and sports, enabled by the teachers and coaches who supported him. After HS, Bob attended Kingston’s Royal Military College from 1955-1957 where he continued to excel in athletics. He led RMC basketball and boxing teams to become the Canadian Service Colleges National Champions, receiving the Marshall Memorial Award for outstanding skill and sportsmanship. He was also invited to attend the National Olympic Decathlon Training Program in Winnipeg in 1956. These experiences helped him understand the power of education and sport in his own personal development.
In September of 1957 Bob transferred to Queen’s University playing three years each of football and basketball for the Golden Gaels. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts (1959) and Bachelor of Physical & Health Education (1960) degrees and completed teacher’s college. In 1961, Bob began teaching and coaching his hometown, Trenton HS Tigers.
While at Queen’s, Bob met the love of his life Margaret Leslie who was completing her studies in nursing at Kingston’s Hotel Dieu hospital. Bob and Margaret were married in August, 1963 in Ottawa. In 1964, they moved from Trenton to Ottawa, where Bob joined the Phys Ed Dept. of Bell High School in Nepean.
When the role of Department Head of Phys Ed was offered at Annandale High School in Tillsonburg in 1965, Bob and Margaret moved their growing family to start a new adventure. Bob taught Phys Ed and Math while coaching at least 3 sports per year for close to 30 years. He felt fortunate to join skilled and passionate coworkers and community partners in developing student athletes, teams and the culture of the Marauders, Gemini and Tillsonburg sports.
Bob’s impact will endure in his son’s lives, their families, and his nieces and nephews. His love and support for his three boys knew no bounds. He modeled many roles for his family. Leader and playmate. Protector and disciplinarian. Expectation setter and motivator. Teacher and coach. Teammate and cheerleader. Joker and appreciative fan. Father and friend. Hero and flawed, vulnerable human. And always with love.
A thoughtful life-long learner himself, Bob loved the creative challenges of student-focused teaching and athlete-focused coaching. Students felt his empathy while learning Math. He was with you trying to understand how you thought and how you needed to learn. It was supportive… and it always included fun and humour. Learning to hurdle at track practice, defending the pick-and-roll at basketball practice, learning to tackle at football practice… Bob was a master of teaching the technical details, but his magic was in motivating kids. He wanted to understand you and was committed to your success, and especially when you doubted yourself. Winning the competition was clearly the objective, but playing the right way while developing character and self-confidence was the real priority.
Bob intensely championed the underdog, those facing personal challenges or feeling small, and he fiercely protected kids of all ages from bullies. His kind authentic interest in you was felt in each discussion whether you were family or a potential new friend. Humour was always, always… always at the ready.
Bob earned the OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) ‘Pete Beach Award’ in 1992 for a life dedicated to helping young people achieve their full potential through sport. He is a member of the Tillsonburg Sports Hall of Fame as a Coach and Builder. The Glendale (Tillsonburg) High School Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award bears his name. Over his career, thousands of athletes and students spent time with Bob on fields and tracks, in gyms, classrooms and hallways. His students and athletes remain his extended family and were impacted deeply by his caring coaching and teaching.
Upon retirement, Bob & Marg spent time in Calabogie, Myrtle Beach, and Kingston, where they enjoyed a wide circle of friends. Bob maintained his passions for being active physically, fishing on the cottage dock with whomever wanted to join him, and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.
He always enjoyed reminiscing about his past teams, the adventures they shared, and the ‘characters’ who played on them. The passion remains… And the laughter together.
Celebrations of life will be planned for later dates. You are invited to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, in Bob’s name to JumpStart or the Terry Fox Foundation.
December 3 1936
November 2 2023
Death notice for the town of: Kingston, Province: Ontario
death notice Bob Burleigh December 3 1936
November 2 2023
obituaries notice Bob Burleigh December 3 1936
November 2 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bob Burleigh December 3 1936
November 2 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
