Obituary of Gerald Lindsay BURROWS

April 20, 1940 – Toronto, Ontario
January 11, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Gerald “Gerry” Burrows, beloved husband of Susan Burrows (nee Walters) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the age of 79 years.

Gerry was a first generation Canadian born in Toronto, ON, on April 20, 1940.  His parents, Mary Lindsay and Charles Howie Buchanan Burrows, had emigrated from Scotland.  Gerry moved to Calgary, AB, in 1978. Gerry loved sports and was always part of a team.  He was on the Senior Football Canadian Championship winning team for four years between 1964-1967.  He was awarded the game ball by his teammates for these wins. Gerry married his wife, of fifty-seven years, Susan, in 1962.  In 1966 Gerry was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants, accrediting through Queens University and interning at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Toronto.   He remained working for DH&S and moved to Calgary, AB, in 1978 as a partner in the firm.  He served as the Managing Partner for the firm for a decade in the 1990s.

Gerry had three children and was very active in their lives.  He coached flag football, peewee hockey and became involved in gymnastics volunteering as the President of the Alberta Gymnastic Federation and Vice President of the Canadian Gymnastic Federation.  In 1988 he was a volunteer for the Winter Olympics and served at the Nakiska site.

In 1991 Gerry moved to Priddis, AB, out of the city to pursue his dream of being a “gentleman rancher” and owning a piece of property that a mountain view.   He also began to collect Canadian Art which he became quite knowledgeable about. At the end of his career after retiring from Deloitte he went to work for Ivanhoe Energy.  He was afforded the opportunity to travel internationally which he loved.  He stood in both the Red Square in Russia and on the Great Wall in China and used the back door into the Louvre in Paris. He would tell you his greatest accomplishment were his children and his five grandsons whom he took significant interest in.  He loved going to visit them and hearing about their hockey and soccer games. Gerry will be most remembered for his determination and work ethic, his negotiating skills, his generous spirit, his humble nature and his smile.

Besides his loving wife, Susan, Gerry is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Jennifer Burrows and Dean Brummet, of Portland, Oregon, and Jocelyn Burrows, of Calgary, AB; son and daughter-in-law, Gerald Burrows and Allison Fitch-Markham of Chicago, Illinois; and grandchildren, Charles and James Brummet, and William, Callum and Mason Burrows. Gerry was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Charles Burrows.

Funeral Services will be held at Red Deer Lake United Church (96187 AB-22X, Foothills County, AB) on Thursday, January 23 2020 at start time 1:30 p.m.  Reception to follow at the church. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Gerald’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

The family would appreciate if friends shared personal stories to pass on to Gerry’s five grandsons and if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Calgary & Southern Alberta Chapter, 1130F – 44 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 4W6 Telephone: (403) 266-5295, www.cfcalgary.ca.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Gerald Burrows. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3,  Telephone: 403- 256-9575.