Christopher Burn

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Chris at home in Peterborough, Ontario (Canada) on July 14, 2020. Loving husband of Bodil (nee Madsen) for 60 wonderful years. Proud father of John (Wendy) of Iroquois and Dennis (Debbie) of Carleton Place. Grandfather ("Kulu") to Robert, Amanda, Caroline and Candice Burn. Dear brother of Anthony (Delphine) of Goosnargh, Lancashire (UK). Loving brother-in-law to Karen Hjort-Jensen (Pete Hewett) of Peterborough and Bessie Turner (Chip) of Nottingham Road (South Africa). Uncle to David Burn (Judith), Martin Burn and Alan Burn of Preston, Lancashire (UK), Sven Turner (Joy Anne), Andrew Turner (Desrae) and Tom Turner (Joanna) of Nottingham Road (South Africa), Glen Beales of Peterborough, Wendy Beales (Matt Holdstock) of Cobourg and Eric Beales (Jenny Scott) of Toronto, and last but not least, Rosalind Bronkhorst nee Braun (Hendrik) of Somerset East (South Africa). Step grandfather to Amy Casselman (Adam) of Morrisburg and Scott Hodgson (Amanda) of Williamsburg. Step great-grandfather to Logan and Grayson Casselman and Olivia, Caleb and Stella Hodgson. Predeceased by his parents Dennis and Joyce Burn, his sister Helen Braun and brother-in-law Bob Braun. Chris was born in Haltwhistle, Northumberland (UK). After the Second World War, his doctor father relocated the family first to South Africa and then to Kenya. After graduating from Prince of Wales High School in Nairobi, Chris completed his compulsory two-year military service with the Kenya Regiment. He then attended and graduated from Moulton Agricultural College in Northampton (UK), after which he became a farmer in Kenya. Chris married Bodil (Bodi) on January 9, 1960. John was born in April 1961 and Dennis in December 1963. When Kenya gained independence in 1964, the entire Burn family (including Chris' parents and sister) moved back to South Africa. Chris and Bodi initially owned their own pineapple farm in East London (South Africa) for five years, after which Chris became a farm manager for various farmers in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in South Africa, including his brother- and sister-in-law Chip and Bessie Turner. In April 1979, Chris, Bodi, John and Dennis emigrated to Peterborough, Ontario where Chris was initially a farm manager and then a landscaper until his "retirement" in his seventies. Chris spent many years with the Peterborough Running Room crowd, where he was "Father Hen" to the "Mother Hens" and walked a marathon at age 70. When running became too difficult due to age and health issues, he took up walking - often walking up to 15 km a day, sometimes up and over Armour Hill in Peterborough! When not walking he enjoyed gardening, music (especially classical), literature, helping out neighbours with taking their garbage to the curb or snow removal, and helping Bodi around the house with cooking and cleaning. He enjoyed spending many hours on his laptop keeping up with Facebook "goings on" or researching new health initiatives and US politics. Chris had a fun-loving, sometimes whimsical view of life and the glass was always half full! To respect Chris' wishes, there will be no wake or funeral service. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Celebration of Life event will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to Doctors Without Borders, or to plant a tree in Chris’ name. With all our love, Bodi, John, Dennis and families

Christopher Burn

March 14, 1937 - July 14, 2020