Larry Collins Burton

July 1940 - August 2022

Larry Collins Burton was born on July 28, 1940 and has passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2022 at the age of 82 in Fort Saskatchewan, AB where he was in palliative care. He will be deeply and sadly missed by his children Laura and Keith Harris, Bonny Burton, Josh and Troy Burton, his grandchildren Chad Denton, Melissa (Nathan) Friedman, Megan (Dane) Melnyk, Kayla (Chris) Hubscher, Vanessa (Jose’) Jimenez, Nolan Saunders (Danielle Gooding), Brandon (McKinley) Saunders, Scott Burton, Connery (Amanda) Burton, Kennedy McCann Burton, Madison, McKenna and Kaysen Burton, his great grandchildren Adeline and Oliver Friedman, Lawson Melnyk, Luca Hubscher, Hudson, Xavier and Oakleigh Saunders. He will also be missed by his sisters in law Shirley Burton and Elsie Cummings, numerous nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.

Larry was predeceased by his parents Richard (Collie) and Julia Burton, his wife Phyllis, his son in law Bryson Heartwell, his great grandson Tayven Melnyk, his siblings Mitchell Burton, Janie Savard, Richard Burton, Irene Schonke, Fred Burton, Grace Matzner, and Howard Burton.

Known to many as Larry, Uncle Larry, Gedo and Grandpa Larry he leaves a legacy of love towards his family and friends. Larry was a fun-loving and devoted family man and friend to many. He treasured connecting with people. He touched lives beyond the immediate family with his selfless lifestyle and dedication to community.

Larry loved to golf and play pool. He was an avid player of sports which included baseball and hockey, and in his youth he fondly remembered playing soccer as the goalie when he lived in Parksville, BC. He spent several years coaching sports teams that Laura, Bonny, Josh and Troy played on. He and Phyllis were Cub and Scout Leaders in Wabamun and actively involved in any programs and events that involved their kids, grandkids and community. Larry was a devoted Oilers, Spruce Grove Saints and Elks fan.

Well known for his story and joke telling he brought a lot of laughter and joy to a campfire, MC’d a lot of weddings and events, and was a Eulogist for several family and friends. Larry loved his video camera back in the day and the family has cherished and treasured hours of narration. He loved taking photos of his and Phyllis’ road trips around Alberta, British Columbia and adventures to places across Canada and into the United States.

He will always be remembered for the many hats he wore in his 82 years of his lifetime including husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, brother in law, uncle, cousin, friend, great uncle, great great uncle, coach, fisherman, hunter, sportsman, baseball pitcher, hockey player, golfer, pool player, construction worker, power engineer, hardware owner, bus driver, volunteer fireman, community volunteer, mayor, pilot truck driver, tour guide, retiree, cameraman, master of ceremonies, eulogist and just an overall great man and hero to many.

Larry had a kind, compassionate and generous spirit who volunteered his time to help and support many who knew him. He lived in Wabamun for the majority of his life with a 36 year career at Transalta, and several year career as school bus driver, up until 2015 when he moved to Spruce Grove. Because of the progression of his dementia, he moved to MacTaggart Place Retirement Residence in Edmonton in December 2021 and completed his journey in Rivercrest Care Centre in Fort Saskatchewan.

Though the family mourns the loss of Larry, they also take comfort in knowing that his battle with dementia is over. They celebrate that his fun loving, gentle, and kind spirit is now free and his memories have returned to him.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to his daughter Bonny for her selfless love and care, the staff of the Misericordia Hospital on their recent care of Larry, the staff at MacTaggart Place Retirement Residence and the Rivercrest Care Centre in Fort Saskatchewan.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, and Caregivers Alberta.

A Celebration of Larry Collins Burton’s Life will be held Friday, September 30, 2022 at 2:00 PM in Wabumun, Alberta at the Wabumun, Jubilee Hall.

Please add your condolences to the comment area below.