WILLIAM JOHN BURNETT

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WILLIAM JOHN BURNETT 1906 - 2001 On September 13, 2001, John Burnett died peacefully in Carman Hospital. John came to Manitoba from Ontario with his parents, Adam and Lizzie; and sisters, Anne, Jean, and Tillie in 1909 and settled on the family farm at Rosebank in 1914. Marriage to Pearl McKerlie in 1928 began a long and loving partnership that lasted until Pearls passing in 1998. They had four children, Clarke (Ruth Snider), Brian (Enid Currie), Sandra, who died aged two, and Lana (Dennis Rinn). Dads passing leaves a large gap in their lives. Grandchildren, Tracy Derksen (Bill), Lindsay; Royce (Glenda) Megan and Paul will miss John deeply; great-grandchildren, Amy Bridgeman (Roy) Harley Derksen; Ian, Graham, and Lisa Burnett will share in the familys sadness at his passing. Dad was charming, with a quick wit and a wry sense of humour. That much most people know. What is less well known is that he was a deeply sensitive and thoughtful man with an integrity that left him with little patience for insincerity and sham. John was what we now call a "caregiver," looking after his widowed mother for 40 years, raising his family and caring for his beloved Pearl as her health failed. After Pearl and his family, Dads great love was the farm and farming. Dad took over the farm when he and Mum returned from California after Adams death in 1933. During the Depression there were some lean times for all farmers, but long hours and dedication paid off eventually. After he retired, and up to the last days of his life, he took a keen interest in everything that had to do with the farm. He enjoyed sharing farming (and other) stories with his cronies in Miami during games of pool and cribbage. The Home Care staff at the Boyne Towers in Carman gave Dad the best of care and added greatly to his comfort, especially after Mum died. Dads family thanks you. Thank you also to the staff of the Boyne Lodge and the Carman Memorial Hospital for all your care and many kindnesses. Dads funeral service will be held in the Miami United Church on Monday, September 17 at 2:30 p.m., with Rev. Bob Gilbert officiating. Arrangements by Doyles of Carman. If friends desire, donations may be made to The Boyne Towers, Box 1644, Carman, MB, R0G 0J0. John and Pearl......Together Again

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2001