Obituary of Stew Burns
Stewart Chester Burns passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Tuesday October 8th, 2019 at Mindemoya Hospital in his 79th year. Beloved husband to Marlene and cherished father to Kim (Kenny) Orford, Lynn Delany, Lee (Bob) Chatwell and Lorrie Burns. Stew will be sadly missed by his sister Sandie (Darwin) Merrylees, grandchildren Shane (Kaitlyn), Jennifer (Devin), Jamie Lynn (Tyler), Terri-Lynn (Chris), Delany, Bayley and Bryce. He will be fondly remembered by his brothers-in-law Hal Purkey, Bill (Gail) Lewis, sisters-in-law Nancy Lewis, Betty Masters, Barbara Armstrong and great grandchildren Jordyn, Liam, Alexis, Rylee, Macy, Jamison, Marissa, Knox and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Chester and Kay (Lehman) Burns, sister Donna Purkey, son-in-law Roger Delany, father and mother-in-law Arden and Margaret (Calback) Lewis, sister-in-law Maxine (Jim) McLeod and brothers-in-law Ron Lewis, Bill Masters and Scott Armstrong. Also remembered by his extended family and many friends.
Stewart was born in Mindemoya and spent his life on Manitoulin Island except for a short stay in Mimico (Toronto) while his father worked at a Tool and Die company during the War. He married Marlene Lewis in 1961 in Spring Bay and raised four daughters. Stew and Marlene had absolutely no desire to leave the Island. He owned the Shell station for many years in Gore Bay and this establishment also became a meeting place Thursday nights for local business friends in town. He then owned the Arctic Cat dealership and the Laundromat in Gore Bay for several years. Stewart took a position with the Gordon Township as Road Superintended into his retirement. Stew loved to deer, moose and caribou hunt. I’m not sure if all the interest was in the hunt or the camaraderie with his lifelong friends. He had a passion for old vehicles and enjoyed the shows and organized rides with others with the same interest. Stewart took a lot of pride being a long time member of the Western Manitoulin Lions Club and the Gore Bay Fish Hatchery. He was always trying to figure out how to control the cormorant problem on the Island lakes! How do you describe this bigger than life character with an infectious personality. Anyone that knew Stew understood what kind of practical joker he was and at the same time a kind, caring and a generous individual.. Stewart loved the winter months in Florida with all his friends and family. Stew also adored his little yorkie dog and you would often see them on daily outings together. Stewart was teased by his friends for having four daughters. No sons…..poor Stew. Well Stew didn’t think so. He had four daughters who then provided four boyfriends (and then husbands) who had to work twice as hard to please him….worked out pretty good for Stewart. Visitation will be held on Tuesday October 15, 2019 from 2-4 pm at the SIMPSON FUNERAL HOME, Gore Bay. Memorial donations may be made to the Gore Bay Medical Centre, All Saints Anglican Church or the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary as expressions of sympathy and may be made through www.simpsonfuneralhome.ca