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JOHN CLAUDE BURNS
Born: May 22, 1932
Date of Passing: Jan 24, 2016
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOHN CLAUDE BURNS Funeral Mass was Celebrated on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, 255 Stafford Street (at Corydon Avenue), Winnipeg, Manitoba. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Jan 30, 2016
JOHN CLAUDE BURNS May 22, 1932 - January 24, 2016 John C. Burns, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend died on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at St. Boniface Hospital, at the age of 83 years. He bore recent health setbacks with dignity and passed peacefully surrounded by the love of his family. Remaining to cherish John's memory are his wife Gail Burns (nee Doody); their seven children and their spouses, Kevin (Christine Bankier), Nora (Jim Cristall), Tim (Cleone Grasham), Margaret (Scott MacKay), Michael, Paul (Rosslyn Berot) and Ken (Michelle Burns). John delighted in his 11 grandchildren, Sam Burns; Jack and Maddy Cristall; Maya, Lucy and Abby Grasham Burns; Justin, Amelia and Casey Berot-Burns; and Ceili and Jack Burns. Also remaining to cherish his memory are his much admired big sister Eleanor Burns IBVM, his brother-in-law Jack Doody (Anne Marie), sister-in-law Patricia Goodin and his extended family. John had a talent for building friendships and will also be missed by many friends. John was born in McAdam Junction, New Brunswick to a railroading family. His father's work took them through many moves to different small towns in Quebec and Ontario. The Burns' shared a deep faith in Roman Catholicism. John's two older brothers, Kenneth (d. 2006) and Edgar (d. 2010), as well as sister Eleanor, devoted their lives to Catholic religious vocation. John came to Winnipeg, Manitoba to attend university at St. Paul's College (then downtown), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and acquired lifelong friends. His greatest success in life was in winning the love of Gail and keeping it through all the adventures that lay ahead. John and Gail celebrated their 60th anniversary in October 2015, with the assistance of the original wedding party! After a few years with CP Rail, where he stoked his love for railways, John enjoyed a successful 28 year career with the Hudson's Bay Company, also a source for many enduring friendships. Learning came naturally to John. Despite having seven young children and a busy work and social life, he earned his MA in History and put it to effective use engaging his children and grandchildren in many a debate. He considered retirement to be his greatest career triumph and enjoyed over 30 quality years of it, spending time with Gail and the rest of his family, enjoying the garden and the house, travelling widely, reading in his big chair, having a beer. He also attended Mass daily and, yes, once again used the opportunity to build many more important friendships. John was a modest man given his impressive accomplishments. A worldly person who never forgot an upbringing steeped in the Church and marked by the Great Depression. He carried a legacy of instinctive generosity and always found the sunny side. He understood profoundly that life is a gift and would often share his surprise and delight at how it was all turning out. John's enthusiasm was infectious, whether for travelling to India (six times) or re-telling a corny joke (seven times). His pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and friends was genuine and always informed because of his amazing capacity to connect with those he loved and see the bigger picture. John lived his Catholic faith his entire life. It was a source of guidance and quiet inspiration for his support for charities committed to the least advantaged and drop-in programs, preferably with a few of his children in tow. John was a towering tree, with deep roots and long branches. He reached into many lives and made them better and certainly happier for having known him. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford Street (at Corydon Avenue), Winnipeg, Manitoba. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the wonderful team at St. Boniface Hospital Cardiac and Palliative Care services, especially his wonderful nurses, Elisabeth Dupas and Chamiel Leviste and Dr. Tim Hiebert. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to are invited to make a donation to Holy Names House of Peace, 211 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1R4, Rossbrook House, 658 Ross Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1N1 or your favourite charity. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Jan 26, 2016
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 30, 2016
Condolences & Memories (14 entries)
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John I will miss you. Often thought about you and missed you when I retired. Our meetings as you walked to and from daily mass as I delivered your mail were special. My Prayers are with you and your family. - Posted by: Ron Hannon (Friend and long letter carrier) on: Feb 13, 2016
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All of us at IC drop in center will miss John dearly. He always had a smile and a story to share. Heartfelt wishes to his family. - Posted by: Brenda Stewart (friend) on: Jan 31, 2016
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So sad to lose such a fine person. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gail and family. May you find consolation in your happy memories of life with him. - Posted by: nydia and tom peterson (friends) on: Jan 30, 2016
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While I did not know John well, Gail and I spent many fun years at the Academy while John was attending St. Paul's. We have been exchanging jokes for years via email, he had a great sense of humour. My heart goes out to Gail and her family at the loss of John, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, fervent Catholic- an example for all of us. May he continue to keep a kindly eye on his large and loving family from above. - Posted by: Vivienne Muller (Friend) on: Jan 28, 2016
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My condolences to the family. My thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Liz Henderson () on: Jan 28, 2016
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To all Burns family, our deepest condolences to your loss. Our thoughts with you through this difficult time. - Posted by: Thomas & Tharwat Grasham (Friends) on: Jan 27, 2016
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Loved talking religion and trains with John. A great and fun guy. He and Gail have raised some amazing kids and his spirit lives on through them. Thoughts and prayers. The Sylvester-Carlins - Posted by: Kevin and Laura (Friends) on: Jan 27, 2016
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Dear Ken, Paul, Mike, Meg, Tim, Nora, Kevin and Family’s, Gail and Friends; It is with great respect and Love that I join you in prayer to honour and celebrate John and the remarkable Life he shared with us. Fond memories and milestone have filled my heart with the kind thoughts of an exceptional human being, be they Toronto or Winnipeg, at Portage and Memorial, Harvard, Church or Tubby’s. Our thoughts are with you. God bless. Chris and Margie Bromley and Family. - Posted by: Chris and Margie Bromley (Family Friend) on: Jan 27, 2016
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Condolences to Gail and all of your family.John was a good man. Our thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Faith Cristall, Dan and Lindsay Cristall and family () on: Jan 26, 2016
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I was at school with Mag for 12 years, so the Burns family was, in a small way, my family too. To be welcomed naturally and lovingly into the warmth, humour and intelligence of this extraordinary clan was a blessing that continues to this day. As a young person, Mr. Burns gently challenged me to express my views and let me know that everyone's opinion had value: this ethic had a lasting impact for me. I am sending my love To Mrs. Burns and all the family. - Posted by: Lynn Thorwaldson (Family friend) on: Jan 26, 2016
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I worked for Mr. Burns from 1972 to 1976 as his executive secretary at The Bay. I was Pat McDonald then and he nicknamed me “Patrick”. I learned so much from him. He was a brilliant and compassionate man. He was absolutely crazy about his family and talked constantly about his kids (to this day I remember all your names). My sincere condolences to all of you. - Posted by: Pat Watts Stevens (One time employee) on: Jan 26, 2016
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I never had the privilege of knowing John Burns, but his daughter Margaret was my boss for 13 years at the Angus Reid Group. Mag spoke frequently, often humourously and always fondly of her family. I can see how her father was one of the primary inspirations for her own intelligence, generosity, and integrity. - Posted by: Richard Lim () on: Jan 26, 2016
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Well done, good and faithful servant! - Posted by: Fr. Joe Newman, SJ (parish priest) on: Jan 26, 2016
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Deeply saddened to hear of John's passing! He was a very fine man, a great supporter of the Jesuits, and only four years older than I am! - Posted by: Eric Jensen, sj (Friend) on: Jan 26, 2016
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