August 8- 1928 – October 7- 2017
Print
After recently being admitted to Royal Jubilee Hospital and then Hospice in Victoria, RC, Gerald Osmond Burton (age 89) gently passed into eternity on October 7, 2017, with wife Erica at his side.
Born in Ansonville, Ontario (now Iroquois Falls) on August 8, 1928, to Dudley ‘Jack’ and Mildred (nee Nicol) Burton, Gerry left home in his late teens and headed out to western Canada for work. When in Vancouver, he met and later married Shirley Mae (nee Spencer), Burton. After settling in Marathon, Ontario in 1954, Gerry worked in the pulp industry as a Stationary Engineer for 35 years, while raising his family with Shirley. He told us that he didn’t move around much in that job! Gerry enjoyed the amazing outdoors which were so accessible to this Northwestern Ontario town, and he was often seen walking, running, skiing and swimming in the area. He was also known for his utilization of gargantuan words, great singing voice, whistling (bird imitations and songs in two-part harmony), and playing the harmonica (which was an especially nice gift for family members’ Birthdays).
Once Gerry retired (and joined what he called the ‘Sittin, Rockin n Starin Club’), he and Shirley spent a winter in Victoria, BC, then relocated to Thunder Bay in 1989, and then Elliot Lake, Ontario in 1991. Following Shirley’s cancer journey and passing in 1995, Gerry decided to return to Thunder Bay to be nearer to his children. In 2003, he married his second wife, Erica, a lovely ‘little Dutch lady”‘ that Gerry originally met in Elliot Lake, when each of their spouses were alive. They shared almost 15 years of life in Victoria, enjoying year-round walking, a few cruise adventures, as well as actively living out their Christian faith through daily Bible study together, thinking of their children/grandchildren through prayer, and being helpful neighbours to widowed seniors in their building.
Gerry was predeceased by his parents; sisters Joyce (at age 2) and Iris (Alvin) Brown: and brother, William (Henriette, Violet). Dad also said ‘goodbye to his wife of over forty years and mother of their four children, Shirley, as well her parents, Fred and Pauline (nee Bobert) Spencer, and brother Melvin Spencer. More recently, Gerry experienced the loss of Erica’s youngest daughter Pamela.
He is survived by his loving wife Erica; his son Rick, Thunder Bay, ON; daughter Barbara (Ed) Peters, Winnipeg, MB; daughter Beverlee, Marathon, ON; and daughter Bonnie, Cobden IL USA; grandchildren Jillian (Shawn) and Ashlee Burton (their mother Donna); Emily, Erin and Elise Peters; Dudley and Madeline Coulter (their father Andrew); Spencer„ Meryl and Max Jose (their father Mario); great-grandchildren Madison Gault and Ethan Salo. Many nephews and nieces also remain Ricci, Michael, Crystal Burton, Terrance Sawchuk; Jim Brown; Greg, Lynda Spencer; Monique Spencer; and their families; and brother-in-law Keith (Claudette) Spencer in BC. Gerry also leaves behind Erica’s children: Marjanke, Rudolf, Harald, Ingemar, Dwayne, and their extended families.
The Burton family is grateful to Dr. Roy Smardon (Family Practitioner) and the many Specialists who treated Gerry over his years in Victoria, as well as more recently the staff of the VIHA. Special thanks to Royal Jubilee Hospice professionals and volunteers, who have so capably and kindly supported our family through Gerry’s last days.
As he requested, Gerry has been cremated in Victoria BC and will be remembered in a private family burial service at Thunder Bay, Ontario next year.
Donations in Gerry’s memory are welcome at the Salvation Army online at www.saltationarmy.ca/dorate-now/
Final arrangements were handled by McCall Gardens, Victoria, BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
Leave Condolence
Type your condolence message into the box below and click “Submit”. It may take up to 24 hours for it to appear. Your email address will not be published.
Name *
Email *
Submit

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerald Osmond Burton – August 8- 1928 – October 7- 2017.source

Death notice for the town of: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique

death notice Gerald Osmond Burton – August 8- 1928 – October 7- 2017- mortuary notice Gerald Osmond Burton – August 8- 1928 – October 7- 2017