Alfred William Burrill

Alfred William Franklin Burrill passed away in his sleep in the wee hours of Saturday July 16, 2022 in his 83rd year. Alfred was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Ann. He is survived by his four children Andrea (Paul), Ruth (David), Philip (Monika), and David (Cheryl); his eight grandchildren James (KT), Ross, and Eric; Naomi, Phoebe, Nathan, and Joshua; and Ben; and his siblings Rosalie (Alton), Marguerite, and Frank (Jan), sister-in-law Judy, and 7 nieces and a nephew.

Alfred was born at home on the Burrill family farm, Crystal Springs, in Melbourne Township, Quebec. After graduating from St. Francis College High School in Richmond, Quebec, he worked for SunLife Canada and began taking night then full-time courses at Sir George Williams University in Montreal. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Alfred met Margaret Ann when they were in Grade 3. They became lifelong friends and married on March 31, 1961 at L'Église des Cantons de L'Est In Melbourne, Quebec. They lived in Montreal while Alfred completed his studies, but left Quebec for Brockville, Ontario shortly before the birth of Andrea, and six months later moved to Kingston, Ontario where Alfred qualified as a Chartered Accountant. During the Kingston years, Ruth, Philip, and David were born. The family continued to move westward to Saskatchewan and finally Alberta. In 1984, they settled on a farm beside Connor Creek near Mayerthorpe. In 2012, Alfred and Margaret Ann moved from the farm into Barrhead.

Music was Dad’s passion. He learned to play piano at the age of five, and by the time he was eight years old, he was able to play the organ at church. He had a lifelong passion for pipe organ music, particularly Bach. In addition to playing in church, Dad played piano for several community singing groups, most recently the Versatiles. He loved to attend pipe organ recitals when he had the opportunity. Over the years, he was also part of community art clubs.

A Funeral Service for Alfred will be held on the 21st of July, 2022 at 1:00pm, with a burial to follow. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Amanda Lambert of Rose Garden Chapel, an honoured Dignity Memorial Provider. Expression of sympathy may be by visiting www.rosegardenchapel.com.