Obituary of Thomas “Peter” BURNS

November 22, 1935 – Calgary, Alberta
March 18, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Thomas “Peter” Burns of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the age of 84 years.

A proud Calgarian, he was born at the Holy Cross Hospital to Thomas and Cecilia Burns (nee Shaw). He was their youngest son, with his brother John and sister Susan. Peter was five when his father died, his mother Ceci raised the family on her own. He attended Earl Grey, Rideau Park and Central Memorial High School, where he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Price. Married in 1960, they welcomed son David in 1961, Lindsay 1964, Maura 1965, John 1968 and Chris in 1970. The boisterous family grew ever louder in a rambling home at the top of a hill. Peter attended University of Alberta, and earned a Bachelor of Arts (History) degree. He taught at Henry Wise Wood before joining the nascent oil and gas industry as a Petroleum Landman. Over his career he worked for Skelly, Champlain, Texas Pacific, Corexcal and Veritas. At the age of fifty-eight he became an independent consultant running T.P Burns Land Services. Peter was a proud member of the Ranchman’s Club and Friends of Science. A man of curiosity, he could talk to anyone and was blessed with many life-long friends, including his men’s luncheon group and decades-long hiking friends. He loved spy novels, long walks and cheese. He lived a rich and fulfilling life, travelling the world with Mary and especially enjoying their true home, the Bar HP.

Peter is survived by his wife of sixty years, Mary, his sister Sue Schofield, his sons, David, John, Christopher (Janet Sawatsky); daughters, Lindsay (Grant Linneberg), Maura (Erin Shilliday); as well as grandchildren Ami, Alexander, Anthony, Jasper, Henry and Mhairi.

He was easy to love and will be sorely missed.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Peter’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

Arrangements in care of McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.