BURCH, Francis Thornton
February 27, 1940 – November 10, 2023
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Frank Burch peacefully on November 10, 2023 at the Barrie Manor Enhanced Care Community in Barrie. Predeceased in 2017 by the love of his life, wife Sylvia, parents Francis Whiteside and Elizabeth Jean Burch, and best friends Eric and Jean. He was the eldest brother to sister Janet (Howard) and brother Donald (Lorraine), brother-in-law to Pauline (David), loving father to son Frank and daughter Jodi, adored Gramps to Jason (Nikki), Colin, Brooke and Carson, god-father to Christopher, Cameron (Penelope) and Andrew (Rebecca), funny Uncle Frank to Peter (Kate), Lucy (Andrew), Beth (Reid), Ian (Hilary), Jason (Angela), Andrew (Jen), Kenneth (Lavinia), Jessica (Brad), great Uncle Frank to many, and loveable long-time friend to Doug (Lynne), Al (Rosina), Pamela and Jan. Our father passed away after heroically battling dementia for over six years. Until the very end, our dad kept his sense of humour, was full of pride and love for his family and the memory of his smile, laughter, and blue eyes will live on in all of our hearts.
Born in 1940 raised in Toronto, our Dad was an avid athlete on the track moving to his love of football at Earl Haig Secondary School. After then, Dad started his prestigious seventeen-year career becoming the youngest Director of Parks and Recreation, onto Superintendent accomplishing the formation of North York Chorus, North York Minor Soccer Association, North York Gymnastics Club and North York Symphony Association. After Frank and Sylvia married in July 1976, they moved to Deseronto, Ontario where they purchased and ran Mohawk Bay Trailer Park for 23 years, meeting and hosting many wonderful staff, campers, family and friends. Following their retirement in 2000, they continued to live in the local community. Our father became Master Mason belonging Union Lodge No. 9.
Our family are grateful to both the Chartwell Alexander Muir Retirement community the last year as he transitioned to living in The Barrie Manor last six months for their love, care and support of our Dad. We’re blessed for the care workers, nurses and staff taking such wonderful care, making him smile daily and being part of your extended family.
A masonic service will be held at the Newburg United Church (339 Academy Street, Stone Mills) on December 9th at 10:30 AM, celebration of life service at 11:00 AM, burial will then take place at Newburgh United Church Cemetry with a reception to follow back at the church where family and friends can share their many fond memories about our Dad.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s (Dementia) Society of Canada or Newburgh United Church in memory of our precious father Frank. Online condolences at www.wartmanfuneralhomes.com. On behalf of my brother, family and myself, thank you for all of your love and support during this extremely difficult time. In Dads words “He’s on another mission.!”
