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WILLIAM GARNET BURNS
Born: Sep 30, 1930
Date of Passing: Nov 05, 2016
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM GARNET BURNS September 30, 1930 - November 5, 2016 On Saturday, November 5, 2016 William Burns ("Bill" or "Billy B" or "Burnsie") of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away at the age of 86 years, but we will always remember his feistiness and sense of humour. On September 30, 1930 Bill was born in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. He was the youngest son of the late William Robert Burns and the late Olga Mathilda Burns (nee Nordrum). His siblings Alfred Norman and Carol Holm also predeceased him. Bill spent his childhood in Sioux Lookout and moved to Winnipeg as a teenager. The Manitoba Telephone System was Bill's employer for approximately 40 years and through this work he also spent significant amounts of time in The Pas and Brandon, Manitoba. Bill was an excellent athlete. He was deeply involved in the Manitoba skiing community, both as a skier and as a ski instructor. He played on the Brandon Cloverleafs baseball team. Bill's team was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame on June 7, 1997. He used to frequent the Pine Ridge Golf Club. Bill remained a sports super-fan throughout his life, keenly following the Winnipeg Jets, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the Toronto Blue Jays. While his body weakened in his final days, his enthusiasm for the 2016 World Series did not. In addition to sports, Bill had many other loves. He loved his family. He loved books. He loved his cat, polo shirts, and following current events. Bill loved The View, especially Whoopi Goldberg's wit, and CJOB. He loved After Eights, handfuls of nuts, breaded shrimp, and a good steak. He was engaged with the world. Bill talked a lot and he loved talking to people. He collected jokes. He used slogans. "Tough apples," was one of his favorites. He had many opinions. Bill was grounded, direct, generous, and sensitive to a fault. He hated bad drivers and when people interrupted him. He was, at times, lovingly irascible. In compliance with Bill's wishes, no formal Funeral Service will be held. A private family gathering will take place. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's name to your charity of choice are appreciated. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com We miss you. Love always, Kelly, Jeff, Nicky, Jaymes, and Pauline.
Publish Date: Nov 12, 2016
WILLIAM GARNET BURNS On Saturday, November 5, 2016 William died at the age of 86 years at the Grace Hospital. A longer obituary notice to follow. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Nov 7, 2016
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 12, 2016
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Bill Burns was likely my first love in life even before my coach Gerald. When I was a kid skiing at Agassiz occasionally people would ask if I was Bill's daughter. We both had a square chin, we were vertically challenged and both loved to ski. Oh yes I did follow him around a lot too. This always made me feel so good and I think Bill sort of liked that too. Of course this was before he had children of his own. He helped me learn to ski better, he often visited at my parents house and he carried me home once when at 8 years old I froze my toes. Joan, Vivian and I all have fond memories of Bill and Pauline's wedding at the Fort Garry Hotel. For me their wedding was fabulous. First because we were included at all; second because Bill and Pauline looked gorgeous and then as country bumpkins we had never seen such a sophisticated affair. Wow servers were walking around with trays of champagne and food and everyone stood around instead of sitting. Definitely a city type wedding. Anyway my memories of Bill are flooding back as I write. I have pulled out my old scrapbook of Agassiz. He is there with that big good looking smile in photos and there are postcards that he wrote to me. There is one photo of Viv, Joan and I wearing the Swiss hats he brought back for us on a ski trip with Jack. Who would have thought we would never see him again. I will cherish the memories of Bill always. Gerald and I send our condolences to his family. - Posted by: Pam Little (friend) on: Nov 26, 2016
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Billy! You are alive and well in my fond memories of our great times together so long ago. It was 1954 and I was 21 at the time I met Billy, probably at the Puffin Ski Club, having just moved back to Winnipeg from Kingston, ON. We were both nuts about skiing and so our shared experiences began - at La Riviere, Riding Mountain, Kenora, Fort William and Port Arthur. Then we stepped out to Aspen, CO for big time skiing. We did at least 2 trips together to Aspen, each time staying at the Snowflake Apts operated by Bill Goodnough. We were on a thin budget and our accommodation was tight. In order to save money (so we could max out on the hill and at the bar) Billy and I shared a single bed on one trip. (Can you believe that?). On one particular night at the bar I found that I was close to scoring big time with a gorgeous woman. However, an excess of beer prevailed and when I awoke to following morning I could only imagine the delight of finding her body next to mine. Not so fast, Gord. It was only Burnsie! That discovery defined disappointment at the time! I recall laughing heartily with Billy over that one. Such a great guy. The movie reel of our time together has re-started and I'm enjoying every moment. He will be so missed. My love to all his family. Gord Konantz - Posted by: Gord Konantz (ski friend) on: Nov 14, 2016
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