Gerald Thomas James Burtenshaw
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald Thomas James Burtenshaw on January 4th, 2017.
Born in England in January 1925, Gerry joined the Royal Navy at a young age and served aboard the HMS Howe during World War II, where he saw active duty in the South Pacific. He married the love of his life Monica Goring in 1947 and they started a family together. Gerry joined the Canadian Army in 1954, the beginning of 20 years of service. He settled in Chilliwack afterwards and worked for Corrections Canada before retiring in 1987. Gerry loved reading, crossword puzzles, and model building, but his favourite pastime was following the progress of his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. A true fan through thick and thin, he spent the last 50 years tirelessly routing them on to once again capture hockey’s holy grail, Lord Stanley’s Cup. Oh, how many times he said "Maybe this will be the year."
Gerald was predeceased by his wife Monica in 2012 and his brother Roy in 2013. He will be greatly missed by his sister Wendy Parker of Henfield, UK as well as his four children Lyn Racicot (Jock), Richard Burtenshaw, Karen Boisvert (Marcel), Mark Burtenshaw (Nicole) as well as grandchildren Jacqueline, Chris, James, Lisa, Laurie, Sharon, and Colin and great-grandchildren Amanda, Katelyn, Alex, Kailie, Carter, Cory, Calista, Kara and Dylan. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 - 7 pm on Sunday, January 15th which will also mark 92 years since Gerry’s birth. It will be held at the home of his daughter Karen where he resided for the last 15 years. The address is 45233 Watson Road. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.