Mervyn Garth Burgess was born on November 2nd, 1929 in Moose Jaw, SK. He died very peacefully after a short illness in hospital at the age of 93 years on October 8th, 2023 in Vancouver, BC.
Merv will be lovingly remembered by his grieving children, Jeff Burgess (Danita) of Vancouver, BC, his daughter Christy Wong (Stewart) of Vancouver, BC, his daughter Cathy Sieben (Rick) of Gibsons, BC; his grandchildren Jesse (Amanda), Stephanie (Pano), Danielle, Annika, Anneliese, Jessica (Chris) and Emma; and his great-grandchildren Evan, Bennett and Rose. Sharing their loss are his brother and sister-in-laws, many cousins, cousin-in-laws and nieces and nephews across Canada, the USA and the UK.
He was recently widowed when his beloved wife of nearly 68 years Marlene (née Peterson) died suddenly in August; and he was predeceased by his son Dale and brother Ronald in 2014, his father Frank Burgess and his mother Helen Burgess (neé Lamond).
After their marriage in Moose Jaw, SK on September 10th, 1955, Merv and Marlene made their first home together in Moose Jaw, moving to Saskatoon, SK in the early 1960’s where they brought up their family. They moved to Gibsons, BC in 2015 to be closer to their children, and moved to Vancouver in the fall of 2022.
Having grown up in Moose Jaw, Merv finished high school in Winnipeg, where he went to attend a school noted for its strong athletic program. He was a talented junior hockey player, playing for Moose Jaw and Prince Albert teams, finishing his hockey career in Old Timers’ leagues in Saskatoon.
After his marriage he trained as a hairdresser in Saskatoon, and soon opened his own business, ‘Merv’s Clip Joint’, Saskatoon’s first and very popular unisex hair salon. He was a well-known and much loved member of the Saskatoon business community. In his later years he discovered a love of drawing and painting, and from his home studio produced landscapes scenes and a cartoon character called ‘My Brother’s Keeper’; he generously gifted his works to many and they are much prized.
He was a proud father and loving husband. Merv had a strong Christian faith and he and Marlene were devoted members and contributors to the Lutheran churches they attended in Saskatoon and Sechelt.
A small service will be held at the Living Faith Lutheran Church in Sechelt, BC on November 4th 2023 at 1.30pm (which will be live-streamed),. His resting place with Marlene will eventually be at Bethany Lutheran Church in Parkbeg, SK.
Anyone who wishes to send condolences to the family can do so by email to jeff_burgess@telus.net.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Paul’s Foundation, which supports Mount St.Joseph’s Hospital where Merv and Marlene were cared for so well over the last year, or to the charity of your choice in their names.
