Geoffrey Wallen Burnett

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Geoffrey Burnett . Geoff was dearly loved by his family, and will be greatly missed by his son Tom Burnett, his daughters Ellen Mac Intosh and Kellie Burnett, and his grandchildren Jennifer, Beverley and Kirstie Rapley, Annie and Molly MacIntosh and Rylan Burnett. In all of us, he instilled a great love of the sea and the outdoors, as well as an appreciation of beauty through gardening, music and art. He will be in our hearts always. Geoffrey was born in Burnaby , B.C. to a pioneer family. He was the eldest of three brothers and son of a prominent land surveyor. In 1940, at 18, he joined the war effort as a cadet in the British Armed Merchant Service. Working his way up to officer, he crossed the North Atlantic twenty-six times serving aboard British and Canadian convoy ships. His letters home from these years inspired author Beverley Huntington Rogers, to write the book, “ A Merchant Mariner’s War (1940 to 1946)”, which highlights Geoff’s experiences and stresses the critical role of the Merchant Service in WW11. Geoffrey completed his teaching degree at U.B.C., and was a teacher of mathematics in North Vancouver for over twenty years. Geoff was a master gardener and had a passion for his varied heritage vessels. Pre -deceased by his wife Reverend Christine Marion Burnett, he lived out the final chapter of his life near his family on Bowen Island. The family would like to send our enduring gratitude to all Geoff’s care workers on Bowen. He would not have been able to live in his own home with such dignity and independence without you! We also send a huge thanks to the nurses and staff at the North Shore Hospice. You are truly angels who walk the earth. A service will be held for Geoff at the Bowen Island United Church on November 20th at 1:00 p.m. Please join our family in the celebration of his life. For those wishing to share a memory of Geoff, please go to www.hollyburnfunerals.com

Hollyburn Funeral Home 604-922-1221