Charles MacKay Burns

Dr. Charles MacKay Burns passed away on December 9, 2013 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He leaves his four loving sons, Charles, Andrew, Roger and Philip, daughters-in-law Jo-anne, Vicki, Heather and Kanning; 11 grandchildren, his brother James (Jim) W. Burns and many nieces and nephews. Dad was pre-deceased by his loving wife Winnifred (née Rossini), mother Gladys Burns (née MacKay) and father Dr. Charles W. Burns.

Born in Winnipeg in 1926, Dad grew up with his brother Jim in a strict but loving family. Hockey, horseback riding, going to the farm and exploring the lake was part of their youth. Too young to serve when the war started, Dad concentrated on following his father into medicine. As a doctor he lived a full professional life as a distinguished surgeon, professor, author of scientific papers and innovator. A graduate of the University of Manitoba Medical School in 1950, he went on to undertake postgraduate work in Toronto and in Bristol, England. Dad brought his expertise and his calm and compassionate nature with him when he returned to Winnipeg in 1958. He joined the faculty of the University of Manitoba and set up practice at the Health Sciences Centre, the Grace Hospital and the Deer Lodge Hospital. There he touched the lives of thousands of patients whose gifts and tokens were among the most important rewards of his work.

Dad was an incessantly curious physician. In 1981 he visited the Maryland Institute of Trauma in Baltimore, which was just then pioneering the idea that patients suffering from traumatic injury should be transported as rapidly as possible to specialized hospitals. Dad brought these ideas home with him and became one of the Founding fathers of Canada’s trauma system. He was the first president of the Trauma Association of Canada. Also he visited Japan and China and was profoundly impressed by China’s advanced treatment of burns. Convinced that further sharing of information between the countries would be mutually beneficial, he set up the Chinese Professorial Sabbatical Program at the University of Manitoba that allowed eminent Chinese physicians to come to Manitoba for a year to study, teach and exchange knowledge.

Dad was a devoted family man who with our Mom created a great team that was always one step ahead of their four rambunctious boys. Dad met his future bride while at The University of Manitoba, where he was attracted to the beautiful U of M tennis star and commerce student, Winnifred-Anne Rossini. Their first meeting was the start of an instant loving partnership that lasted 57 years.

Dad always took time out of his busy schedule to share in the family’s triumphs and disappointments. He was a good athlete and he passed on his love of football, hunting, hockey and sailing to his family. Next to the lake, the annual ski trip to Banff was the highlight of our year. His greatest love was his cottage at Clearwater Bay. Dad cleared the trees with his axe and built much of the interior himself. Both Mom and he enjoyed the spectacular views each and every summer. Anyone who knows Dad knew he loved to sail and to compete. Because of our parents love of sailing they spent many enviable winter vacations sailing with friends and family in the Caribbean.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Misericordia Place for their kindness, professional care and attention to our dad over the years. Their dedication and commitment is truly inspirational.

A memorial service will be held Monday, December 16, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, 255 Oak Street (at Kingsway).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Misericordia Health Centre Foundation.