William Scott Burwood

Obituary for William Scott Burwood- The Man. The Myth.

The Legend…

William Scott Burwood, born September 27, 1960, passed gently into the arms of our Heavenly Father on November 26, 2025. He spent his final 24 hours at home, surrounded by immense love — his wife Stacey, son Daniel, daughter Brianne and her partner Ivan Rivers, and his stepsons Creighton and Carson McCulloch. His favourite music played non-stop while stories were shared, laughter and tears flowed, and many heartfelt toasts were made. A wake was held in his honour upon his passing.

Scott was predeceased by his brother Frank Alfred (1974), his father William John (2003), his mother Martha Jessie (née Adamson, 2017), his son Dustin William Frank (2022), and his brother-in-law David Rossander (2025).

He leaves behind to mourn his loving wife and partner in all adventures for the past 11 years, Stacey; his loving son Daniel (Chaelah) of St. John’s, Newfoundland; his loving daughter Brianne (Ivan) of Toronto, Ontario; and his beloved, precious grandchildren Keiran, Sean, and Rose, the legacies he cherished in his heart most. He also leaves his loving step-sons Creighton McCulloch (Kirsten) of Edmonton, Alberta, and Carson McCulloch (Miley) of Port Alberni, B.C.

Scott is also survived by his dear, devoted and loving sisters Janice Scarr (Philip) of Langley, B.C.; Nancy Burwood of Richmond, B.C.; nephew John Burwood (Jeeb) of Gibsons, B.C.; niece Cynthia Kerry (Dave) of Langley, B.C.; nephew Andrew Scarr (Richelle) of Langley, B.C. His great-nieces and nephews — Alex, Eric, Kimberley (Kerry), Megan and Brooklyn (Scarr), and Olivia (Burwood) —all held a very special place in his heart.

In-Laws Boni & Roger Dufour of Port Alberni, B.C.; Steve, Christine & Noel Dufour of Port Alberni, B.C.; and Andrew Dufour of Victoria, B.C.

Scott also leaves behind his sweet cat Karen (with the knobby feet) and his dog Jellybean, who lovingly “mothered” the family and never left his side.

A Life Full of Adventure

Scott was born in Calgary, Alberta. His family later moved to Burnaby in 1967, eventually settling in Kerrisdale. He attended several elementary schools and graduated from Magee Secondary School in 1978.

He spent many cherished summers at Keats Island Bible Camp during child/teen years, a place that remained deeply meaningful to him throughout his life.

During childhood, Scott discovered the passions that shaped him forever — sailing with his father (on Deer Lake with his Dad’s home built sail boat!) and skiing on mountains with his friends and Dad, across British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado, Utah, Vermont, Ontario, and Quebec. At just 16, he began teaching skiing at Cypress Mountain. Scott also thoroughly enjoyed being a downhill racing guide in the 1990’s/2000’s with blind skiers for a decade. He treasured those athletes and races through Ontario, Quebec and B.C. He also had a life long love story, playing golf, football, rugby, and baseball (later coaching his children). GO Jays! Canucks! BC Lions! Seattle Seahawks!

Scott owned and sailed 3 sailboats over the years. His first was a Viking 21', Columbia 25’ and recently his Mirage 26’ ‘Ex Calibre’, Sailing through to Keat’s Island, in and around English Bay and up the Indian Arm. There was always a sense of freedom Scott enjoyed while sailing, or even simply staying over night in any marina. ‘Life is not about being tied safely to a dock’, he would lament.

A Career Built on Leadership, Heart, and Hard Work

At 17, Scott began working as a meat cutter for Quality Meat Market, in Kerrisdale, eventually becoming a meat salesman for local Vancouver Restaurants in Vancouver for Gainer’s Meats in the 1980’s. This led him into a lifelong love of cooking, restaurants, and hospitality.

With a brief stint at The Keg Restaurant, Scott made the transition as GM with Mother Tucker’s on Alberni Street in Vancouver. Through persistence, hard work, determination & quiet leadership, Scott moved his young family to Toronto in the early 1990’s where he built an impressive 11-year career with Sir Corp. He served as General Manager and Regional Manager for Mother Tucker’s and Jack Astor’s in the GTA, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Alberta. Scott hired and mentored thousands of employees, helping many rise through the hospitality ranks.

He later returned to Vancouver as GM of Steamworks in Gastown, followed by five years in Port McNeill, B.C. Eventually he returned to Vancouver once more, joining Labour Unlimited, where he spent 11 years recruiting for numerous major construction projects — work he took great pride in. He later founded his own recruiting company, WSB Consulting, which he ran for four years. His passion in recruiting was supporting and assisting others, not just to find employment, but helping those find their own passion in meaningful work.

In 2020, ready for a slower pace, Scott moved into Property and Building Management in Langley, UBC, and finally Cascade Village in Burnaby — the peaceful land where he passed.

Courage, Strength, and Grace

Since 2017, Scott fought two Stage III/IV cancers. He endured countless treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, and two septic episodes — a ‘grocery list’ as he would say, and fought each challenge with courage and quiet resilience. He also continued working throughout his fight and never stopped living. Determined in 2020 to push himself to work out and eat, he managed to hit the local mountains that season- the BIGGEST smile when he would finish a run. Very rarely did he complain those 8 years. He just kept pushing, listening to his doctors and moving forward with determination. After a year and a half in great health & remission, his cancer quietly spread at the end of summer 2025. Scott faced the final chapter with honesty, grace, and unwavering strength.

A Man of Calm, Wisdom, and Gentle Humour

Scott had a calming presence, a unique way of moving through life, and a gift for offering sage advice only when asked. He was an observer — listening deeply before speaking — and when he did, his words carried weight. His humility was ever-present; when praised, he would simply smile and say, ‘Thank you, that’s nice’. Whether in a kitchen (’Cheffing is a noisy enterprise’) creating mouth water Five-Star meals (some he’d call ‘pedestrian’, however still amazing); on his sailboat, racing down any ski run, on a golf course, or simply relaxing with a cold one, Scott infused every moment with passion and positivity. Scott had the BEST expression for any moment, whether it was sailing, skiing, driving or golfing ‘COMING IN HOT’ was a general term for all of his life. As was ‘the Dude’ status. You KNEW you were in that group of people, if Scott self-knighted you that title.

With Gratitude

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the countless doctors, nurses, and medical staff who cared for Scott over the years — especially his nephrologist Dr. Hataka, who’s team supported him for five years, and his urologist/oncologist Dr. Ercole Leone, who treated him for eight years with exceptional skill, compassion, and grace. Appreciation is extended to all staff at Langley Memorial, Columbia Hospital, Surrey Memorial, VGH, St. Michael’s Hospital, UBC, and St. Paul’s Hospital (Scott would say he was a ‘Frequent Flyer’ at all of these hospitals). Gratitude to our dear friend Neelya Herbert (RN) who lovingly assisted in getting the ball rolling with Palliative Care for Scott. Lastly, a warm thank you to Fraser Health Palliative Burnaby team, from Walter (OT), RN’s Priscilla and Ester and Palliative Doctor Minhas. Scott only had you all for a total of 6 days, but what a tremendous support system that was created in such a short time, to enable Scott’s gentle passing.

And, of course, to ALL of our Burwood, Scarr, McCulloch, Dufour, Fridfinnson, Sattar & McKay Families and our dear Friends-everything before, during and after has been extremely appreciated and a true blessing. Thank you all.

Celebration of Life

Cremation has taken place. His remains will be let go in the spring/summer 2026 in the mountains and ocean.

Scott’s wish was simple: Celebrate him at any pub — as long as you raise a toast. Keeping close to his wishes, join us for an intimate Celebration of Life at Cascade Village Banquet Lounge 3401 Curle Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. Sunday, January 4, 2025/ 1pm-4 pm.

(Plenty of visitor and street parking. Access is the driveway next to the building and walk towards the gardens. The Recreation Centre is on your left. Signs will guide you)

Please bring only your stories, hugs and your love of Scott.

If you cannot attend in person, please send your email to [email protected] to be added to the Zoom Live. This will start at 12:45pm so you can just join when ready.

In Lieu of Flowers

Donations may be made to:

 The B.C. Kidney Foundation

 Your local Homeless Shelter

 Your local SPCA

(Scott’s family has included the music video Sad Around Me by Ivan Rivers — a song Scott loved, featuring his beautiful daughter Brianne.)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV):

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace".