Walter John Burian

Walter passed away in North Vancouver at the age of 92. He was a beloved husband, father, Opa, uncle, and friend.

Walter is survived by Margaret, his loving wife of 65 years, and his sons Michael (Deborah) and Martin (Cheryl). His greatest pride and joy were his four grandchildren: Andrew, Nicholas, Lauren, and Cameron.

Born in Vienna, Austria, Walter immigrated to Canada in 1951 with his mother, Anna. Their Canadian journey began with a sojourn in Tofino—where Walter worked on a road-building crew and Anna served as a nurse—before they eventually settled in Vancouver. Walter embarked on a career in accounting, starting as an articling student in Vancouver and obtaining his Chartered Accountant certification in 1958.

Walter married Margaret Peacock in 1960 and lived in North Vancouver where their sons were born in 1961 and ‘63. In ‘69 they built a home and moved to West Vancouver. They continued to live on the NorthShore throughout their lives together.

Walters professional leadership and expertise led him to become the Managing Partner of the Deloitte Vancouver office in the mid-1970s, and he was honored with a Fellow (FCA) designation in 1980.

Walter’s business relationships often blossomed into lifelong friendships. After retiring from Deloitte in 1989, he transitioned into entrepreneurial roles and real estate ventures. Most notably, he assembled the development partners to create the Predator Ridge Golf Resort, a place where he and his family spent many cherished summers.

An avid traveler, Walter and Margaret enjoyed a lifetime of adventures together, including many trips to Europe. In his earlier years, he loved ski weekends with his family, and later in life, he became a fixture on the greens at Capilano and Predator Ridge. Walter’s commitment to his community was steadfast, centered on his support for First United Church, St. David’s United Church, and the United Way.

A celebration of life will be on Wed. March 4 at 11am at St. David’s Church (1525 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, BC) followed by a reception nearby at Capilano Golf Club (420 Southborough Dr, West Vancouver). In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to remember Walter with a donation to the Alzheimer Society of BC or the United Way.