Henry Bartlett Burgoyne

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Henry Burgoyne on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 in his 62nd year. He will be forever missed by his sisters Janet (Peter) Partridge and Harriet (John) Lehnen, by his nephews Peter (Poppy Gilliam) Partridge and John Partridge, by his nieces Andrea and Emily Lehnen, and his great nephews Toby Partridge and Chase Partridge. He was predeceased by his parents William (1970) and Dorothy (2010).

Henry took over as publisher of The St. Catharines Standard at a young age, after the untimely death of his father, and became well respected in the Canadian newspaper industry. During his years of leadership the corporation grew to operate a chain of community newspapers: Signal Star Publishing (Goderich), Northumberland Publishing (Cobourg), Rannie Printing & Publishing Inc. (Niagara) and Canada News (Winter Haven, Florida). The company also operated two commercial printing operations: Webman in Guelph, and Ridley Web in St. Catharines.

Henry’s proudest moment in his professional career came in Vancouver at the 1985 conference of the Centre for Investigative Journalism (now the Canadian Association of Journalists), where his team of journalists won the national award for best investigative reporting in Canada. He was also immensely proud when his staff in the 1980s and ’90s won several Honourable Mentions at the prestigious Michener Awards for excellence in Canadian public service journalism.

Following his parents’ examples, Henry was an active community volunteer, serving on the boards of or as a member of The Leonard B. Herzog Memorial Foundation; the Burgoyne Centre for Entrepreneurship at Brock University; Junior Achievement of Niagara; Canadian Cancer Society; The Walker Family YMCA Campaign; Bethlehem Place Campaign; Ridley College Board of Governors; 1970 III World Rowing Trust; the Canadian/US Board Association; The St. Catharines Promotional Task Force; Loyalist College School of Journalism; the St. Catharines Community Business Network; CFRB Ltd.; Shaver Hospital; St. Catharines & District United Way; Henley Aquatic Assn.; Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation; Canadian Mime Theatre; Press Theatre; St. Catharines Gyro Club; St. Catharines Development Board; St. Thomas’ Anglican Church; Rodman Hall Arts Centre; The Bishop’s Men; and the Rotary Club of St. Catharines.

In his retirement Henry enjoyed golf year-round at either the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club or in central Florida, and he shot his lowest score ever — a 78 — on the last game he played. He will be remembered by a large circle of friends as being kind, supportive and generous.

As he wished, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at The Hulse & English Funeral Home, 75 Church Street, St. Catharines (905) 684-6346 on Friday, February 18, 2011 from 2-4pm and from 7-9pm. A celebration of Henry’s life will be held at the Ridley College Chapel, 2 Ridley Road on Saturday, February 19 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Burgoyne - Doolittle Fund at the Niagara Community Foundation, 17 Queen Street, St. Catharines L2R 5G5. On-line tributes may be made at www.hulseandenglish.com.