Joe Burnett

October 3, 1934 - January 10, 2023

With great sadness, the family of Frederick Joe Clayton Burnett announce his passing at Melville Hospice Home, White Rock, B.C. on Tuesday, January 10th., 2023, with his loving wife and family at his side. Joe was 88 years of age, born October 3, 1934 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to parents John Fredrick & Leila Nora Burnett (Rout).

Joe leaves behind his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dawn Burnett (MacMillan); his sons Vincent (Patricia); Trig (Deborah); Larry (Gwen); daughter Tracey; grandchildren James, Desiree (Mike), Daina (Terry), Ryan, Nicole, Johnathan, Rielle, Justin; great grandchildren Victoria (Ryan), Jamie and Madison; nephew Ron (Lynda), great nephew Darren plus several cousins. Joe also leaves Dawn's large beloved close family of nephews, nieces, cousins and Aunt plus many, many friends.

Joe was predeceased by his Father John Fredrick Burnett 1980, Mother Leila Nora Guellett 1976, Brother Floyd Clayton Burnett 1989.

Joe's family moved from Ontario to New Westminster then to Nanaimo, B.C., where Joe enjoyed his teenage years, finished his schooling and was able to own a 1934 Roadster. He loved the outdoors and was very adventurous hunting for goat, deer, black & grizzly bear, & birds, skeet & trap shooting & fishing. For over 30 years, Joe and friends gathered at Green Lake for their Cariboo Trap Shoot competition. Other interests included curling, tennis, playing bridge, dancing & travelling. Joe met Dawn in Houston, B.C. and they married on July 27, 1973.

As Joe's admirable career unfolded in the construction field at the age of 26 yrs., he supervised the construction of the Royal Towers Hotel in New Westminster, B.C. He quickly went on to hold positions from general superintendent to operations/division manager covering all sectors of commercial and industrial projects. In 1974, after winding up as Alberta Operations Manager and completing 2 shopping centres, Joe and Dawn came back to B.C.

Companies Joe was employed with during his career include Smith Bros & Wilson, Foundation Co. of Canada, Poole Construction, Dillingham Construction and Dominion Bridge. Notable projects under his management include Scotia Tower at Granville & Georgia (moving Birk's Clock), North Van Rec Centre, Selkirk College in Castlegar, numerous pulp mill contracts, Bulkley Valley Sawmill in Houston, and countless others. He loved the challenges in construction and strived to complete projects on time and on budget. The friendships made in the industry were treasured and he had great respect for his peers.

Joe Burnett's most significant project was B.C. Place Stadium, a 5 level 60,000 seat complex, an indoor structure with the world's largest air supported domed stadium at that time. Joe was honoured to be named the manager to be in charge of the construction of it. The initial inflating/billowing of the 200-ton Teflon-coated fibreglass structure by 16 huge fans into a perfect dome 200 ft above was a marvel to behold. B.C. Place opened in 1983. Joe was the senior executive liaison with the owners' the B.C. Government. This was a very successful project and a significant Vancouver Landmark.

Joe joined the Amalgamated Construction Assn (ACA) & BCAA, where he went on to be chair of the General Contractors Division. In 1988 Joe was elected chairman of the ACA, spearheading committees where significant planning for the Association was introduced. He was also an advocate for the successful Awards of Excellence program. On his retirement, Joe was honoured to be awarded an ACA Life Membership.

Joe and Dawn moved to Yellow Point on Vancouver Island to retire and built a new home on the waterfront. It didn't take long for Joe to realize he wasn't ready for full retirement. He felt he had

something to offer the community so decided to run in the local election for Director of Area "A" for the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) winning the directorship in 2005 and again in 2008 for a total of 6 years. In 2011 he chose not to seek another term. He also spent a term on the NCID Board at the time of the building of the new fire hall. In 2012, Joe accepted an appointment to the Nanaimo Airport Commission by the Town of Ladysmith, B.C. He thoroughly enjoyed joining the other board members and Mike Hooper in planning improvements to the Cassidy Airport and served 2 more terms in 2013 and 2014.

In 2016, Joe and Dawn moved to White Rock to experience condo living and to be closer to their families which was a special and treasured time in Joe's last years. A sudden change in Joe's health has taken him to his final resting place with his Heavenly Father. A funeral service to honour Frederick Joe Clayton Burnett will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service all at Victory Memorial Park & Funeral Centre 14831 28th Avenue, Surrey, B.C. 604-536-6522.