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WILLIAM GATHORNE (GAE) BURNS
Date of Passing: May 13, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM GATHORNE (GAE) BURNS
William Gathorne (Gae) Burns of Winnipeg, MB was just two days shy of his 82nd Birthday when he passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, MB.
William Gathorne Burns was conceived amongst the boulders of the north shore of Lake Simcoe (somewhere near Camp Borden, ON). He was the first grandchild of both parent's families, and was first born of Margaret Taylor (nee Burnet) and Henry Thomas Gathorne Burns. Growing up in Etobicoke, ON, Gae attended Sir Adam Beck and Alderwood Collegiate Institute. In the early 60s, Architecture was the field of study at the University of Toronto and then at the University of Manitoba, and then became employed by the Lount family in Winnipeg, MB. Gae designed buildings in Minneapolis' Sunset Tower East, designed numerous Winnipeg structures, including 55 Nassau and Kiltarton Towers. For a short time, Gae was employed by Green Blankstein Russell and Associates (GBR) and worked with a team to design two senior housing residences. In 1974, he was hired by the Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Housing and within a year became the manager of the Design and Construction Branch; a position he held for 20 years.
W. Gathorne Burns has notably contributed to almost 10,000 housing units in Manitoba (including some women's shelters)- from Churchill in the north to Sprague in the south.
After retiring in 1995, he continued to work with Doug Corbett on the designs of the first downtown Red River College campus building.
Pre and post retirement, Gae's favourite past times were many and include: appreciating and supporting Canadian and Winnipeg fine and performing arts, collecting, thrifting and garage sales, spending time with friends/family, enjoying Winnipeg's best and/or Free Press best reviewed restaurants, hosting parties - including the annual 'Big Chill' with close friends from the 1965 Dorchester house Co-op, building/renovating, sewing, reading and daily crosswords, and the list goes on; but, Lester Beach was his first love.
Despite the several friends that have passed away in recent years, Gae is survived by a myriad of friends, coworkers, acquaintances and family who will miss him dearly; several who supported him during his final days/weeks/months.
Surviving family are his sister, Maureen (Laurence); brothers, Robb (Cathy) and Lawrence (Diane); nieces, Shelley (Jeff) and Kelleigh; grandnieces, Maeven and Tana; as well as a few cousins in Ontario and the US. Gae was predeceased by his parents, aunts, uncles, a first cousin, and his only nephew Shawn.
Greatest thanks and appreciation to ALL medical professionals and supports who provided the care and needs for Gae at Grace Hospital, and at Extendicare Oakview Place.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Fall, 2025. **Please contact Shelley by August 7, 2025 to RSVP and to receive details: gingergonegrey@gmail.com or 519-823-0183.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to The Winnipeg Foundation.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 31, 2025
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Saddened to hear of Gae’s passing. His taste in antiques, art and design influenced, and was appreciated, by many. A mentor while working for him at Manitoba Housing, he encouraged me to complete Building Construction Technology, Project Management and Site Supervision certification courses, then supported me with the opportunities and work experience needed to develop and succeed. I will be forever grateful. RIP Gae. Sherry Dolman Julius - Posted by: Sherry and Gary Julius () on: Jun 08, 2025
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Sorry to hear of Gae's passing. He was a friend of the Kowalsky family for years, I first met him in 1965 when I was a young lad. My parents Cliff and Rosemary Kowalsky appreciated his life long friendship, and he was an executor for their estate in later years. My mom said that he always knew when to show up at our house on Bowhill Lane in Charleswood just before supper time! And he drove a very cool black 1966 Mustang. - Posted by: Ken Kowalsky (Friend) on: Jun 01, 2025
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Gae was the 'architects architect'. He could do it all. Design skill, technology awareness, constructibility, and business acumen. He mentored young staff and was always willing to step up when the projects were challenging. He was at his best facilitating client/team integrated design sessions and could elicit discussion from anyone to solve critical issues. Also taught me that on 'your' birthday, you bring the cake. Gone far too soon. - Posted by: Doug Corbett (Colleague and friend) on: May 31, 2025
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Dear friend, i met you thru Keith and you were are Best man at our Wedding in 1975 We did so much together us three and enjoyed our trips together. It was so much fun me natering at you and keith.. The stories are endless of all the things we did together we travel so many places. We had so much fun in Sarasota, Florida every May for a month going to garage sales buying more junk, but loving every little bit that we bought.. You surely will be missed my dearest friend!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 - Posted by: Georgette Dangerfield (Close friend 🙏) on: May 31, 2025
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RIP Gae. - Posted by: Bill Shklanka (Fellow employee at Manltoba Housing) on: May 31, 2025
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Condolences to Gae's family. I used to work with Gae at Manitoba Housing. He also offered us suggestions when we were designing our forever home. RIP. - Posted by: Darlene Marsch (Co-worker) on: May 31, 2025