Obituary for Bryan Allan Burland
Burland, Bryan Allan – Bryan passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Sunday July 5, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 91. Bryan was born on March 10, 1929 in Yeadon, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Beloved husband of Doreen (Jones) Burland (deceased February 1, 2019). Loving father of Chris (Jennifer Armstrong) Burland and Lesley (Kevin) Prong and loving grandad to his cherished grandchildren, Klare (Sam Cherry) Prong and Garrett Prong. Predeceased by his parents, Fergus James, MBE and Edith (Parratt) Burland, as well as his brother Ralph, and sisters Margaret (Ted) and Brenda (Doug, John).
Bryan lived a full life. Following a stint with the Royal Navy, Bryan took his skills as an Electrical Engineer and in the late 1940s made his way to Africa and the Middle East working for British Overseas Airlines. He spent significant time in Saudi Arabia and Wadi Halfa and gained appreciation for exciting adventures and great food. After being moved throughout the region multiple times because of dangerous skirmishes, he decided to set out for a long holiday to visit a friend in Canada. He arrived, by sea liner, in Canada in 1951 and loved the country so much that he gave in his notice and was offered a job in Leaside. He went on to work for Philips Electric, Canadian Arsenals, and was a consultant on the D.E.W. Line. In the late 1950s, he began a new job at De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada and was part of the important work of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions. His work throughout the 1960s took him to Patrick Air Force base in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Forbes Air Force base in Topeka Kansas. After the ‘space race’ of the 60s, Bryan continued his career at SPAR Aerospace where he worked on the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, fondly known as the Canadarm.
Beyond work, Bryan and his family travelled throughout the USA and Canada in a camper. The family often got to see his incredible handiwork when fixing issues with the truck so that they could continue with their travels. At home, Bryan spent time inventing new tools and devices to help him solve any problem, and he enjoyed building computer databases and circuit boards with his friend. The family has many memories of his barbequing prowess and his love of golf. But most of all, it was the story telling; Bryan could hold a person captivated with stories of his adventures. He was as sharp as a tack and even at age 91, he could hold a group of people spellbound with his tales of adventure in Africa and his bachelor days in Muskoka. However, his favourite place was at the dinner table; with a glass of wine in hand, a spread of scrumptious food created by Doreen, and family and friends surrounding him as he recounted yet another story. We will miss him dearly.
The family would like to thank the Chartwell Clair Hills family for their loving support of Bryan during his short stay, as well as the Emergency and ICU teams at St. Mary’s Hospital for their loving care.
Private cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm at St. George's Forest Hill Anglican Church, 321 Fischer-Hallman Rd, Kitchener. Those unable to attend may join Bryan's service via live stream at https://livestream.com/accounts/4258512.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Canada () or a charity of your choice, would be appreciated by the family.
Bryan lived a full life. Following a stint with the Royal Navy, Bryan took his skills as an Electrical Engineer and in the late 1940s made his way to Africa and the Middle East working for British Overseas Airlines. He spent significant time in Saudi Arabia and Wadi Halfa and gained appreciation for exciting adventures and great food. After being moved throughout the region multiple times because of dangerous skirmishes, he decided to set out for a long holiday to visit a friend in Canada. He arrived, by sea liner, in Canada in 1951 and loved the country so much that he gave in his notice and was offered a job in Leaside. He went on to work for Philips Electric, Canadian Arsenals, and was a consultant on the D.E.W. Line. In the late 1950s, he began a new job at De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada and was part of the important work of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions. His work throughout the 1960s took him to Patrick Air Force base in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Forbes Air Force base in Topeka Kansas. After the ‘space race’ of the 60s, Bryan continued his career at SPAR Aerospace where he worked on the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, fondly known as the Canadarm.
Beyond work, Bryan and his family travelled throughout the USA and Canada in a camper. The family often got to see his incredible handiwork when fixing issues with the truck so that they could continue with their travels. At home, Bryan spent time inventing new tools and devices to help him solve any problem, and he enjoyed building computer databases and circuit boards with his friend. The family has many memories of his barbequing prowess and his love of golf. But most of all, it was the story telling; Bryan could hold a person captivated with stories of his adventures. He was as sharp as a tack and even at age 91, he could hold a group of people spellbound with his tales of adventure in Africa and his bachelor days in Muskoka. However, his favourite place was at the dinner table; with a glass of wine in hand, a spread of scrumptious food created by Doreen, and family and friends surrounding him as he recounted yet another story. We will miss him dearly.
The family would like to thank the Chartwell Clair Hills family for their loving support of Bryan during his short stay, as well as the Emergency and ICU teams at St. Mary’s Hospital for their loving care.
Private cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm at St. George's Forest Hill Anglican Church, 321 Fischer-Hallman Rd, Kitchener. Those unable to attend may join Bryan's service via live stream at https://livestream.com/accounts/4258512.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Canada (