We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Frank Burgess on December 10th, at the age of 82. Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth, and their three children; Jane, John and Michael.

Frank was born and raised in Toronto, and maintained an interest in the city’s history throughout his life. As a child he enjoyed visiting Sunnyside Amusement park, and often told the tale of meeting Sam “the Record Man” Sniderman at his first record store on Yonge St. Sam was so impressed with young Frank’s musical knowledge that he gifted him a free record from the store. Frank also appreciated history in the making, taking his young daughter to see the helicopter bring in the finishing pieces of the CN Tower in the mid 1970s. And teaching all the kids the finer points of 5 pin bowling at the old Plantation Bowling Alleys in Etobicoke in the 80s.

Frank attended Ryerson University, and then had a long 25+ year career with the Ministry of Transportation. In his final years before retirement he worked as a Field Monitor, traveling throughout Ontario to check in on projects. Frank was blessed to enjoy many healthy years of retirement where he and Ruth enjoyed taking walks, and largely split their time between Niagara and the cottage. At the cottage it was always a priority to keep the hummingbird feeder full, and have birdseed handy to feed the family of ducks that visited him each summer.

We would be remiss if we did not also mention Frank’s love of trains that friends and family will be well aware of.

We will miss Frank’s kindness, sense of humour, and love of story telling. We will keep the birdfeeders full for you, dad.

For those who wish to do so we think he would appreciate donations to either the Cat’s Anonymous rescue in East Garafraxa, or the Salvation Army.


In lieu of a traditional service the family will be holding a celebration of life in the new year.