Born in Truro on May 2, 1939, he was the only child of Sylvester Roland Burgess and Alice Belle Douglas. He was a grandson of Hiram Hyde Burgess and Margaret MacCallum, and John Douglas and Annie Laurie Livingstone.
Dayrl enjoyed motor and water sports throughout his life. In his younger years, Dayrl had a keen interest in drag racing, owning a special “top eliminator” 1959 Chevy 409, as well as a 1958 Corvette. He later realized a dream by taking flying lessons. He also had a keen interest in boats; his first sailboat was one of a fleet of Snipes sailed out of the Rockingham Yacht Club. He joined the Bedford Basin Yacht Club in 1970 and bought a Mirage 24 called J J, named for Jennifer and Jacqueline. Dayrl and friends enjoyed the Yacht Club’s Wednesday night races, but he would soon realize that cruising was a better fit for a young family. They would sail during the summer in the Mahone Bay and Chester area, making Oak Island Marina their home base. Dayrl’s career in construction took him all over Nova Scotia, including over 80 trips to Sable Island. He reveled in the wild beauty of the island with its seals and horses. Over the years, Dayrl and Judy enjoyed travelling, from trips to Barbados and Cuba, Florida, to a 26-day adventure in Europe, as well as several trips to London, UK, and Ireland. He looked forward to regular visits to PEI to visit Jennifer’s family, and enjoyed “Burgess Family Fun” weekends on Jackie’s deck and camper. Dayrl had the luxury of having close friends from childhood, whom, in later years, he continued to meet each Tuesday morning for coffee. Dayrl appreciated his BBYC friends and was an honorary member of BBYC.
Dayrl is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Judith Irene Stevens; daughters, Jennifer Marie (Ron Murphy); Jacqueline Joy; his beloved grandchildren, Clare Alice and Clark Austin Murphy, and Phoenix Dayrl Burgess-Hines. He is also survived by brother-in-law Victor Stevens (Karen), Bruce Stevens (Jennifer); sister-in-law Violet Stevens; stepsister, Zella Weeks Handley. He was predeceased by his parents; stepfather, Benjamin T. Weeks; stepbrothers, Herman and Sherman Weeks; brother-in-law, Keith Stevens; stepbrother-in-law, Bill Handley.
We will always be grateful for the excellent care by 7.3 Neurosurgery staff, amazing and caring surgeon Dr. Stephen Lownie and team, and the comforting and appropriate support of Hospice Halifax. If you care to make a donation in memory, please consider Hospice Halifax, Hope For Wildlife or Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 5:00 - 8:00pm in J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax, NS with a Memorial Service to take place on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11:00am in Full Gospel Church, 2256 Larry Uteck Blvd, Bedford, NS.
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