Mark Stephen Burchak

February 15,1960- April 17, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of an unparalleled father, husband, son, teammate, co-worker, coach and friend. Mark (Bubba) Burchak passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a lengthy battle with prostrate cancer. He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Katherine and his brother Arthur. Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife Donna Smith and sons Riley and Joshua (Josh), and many beloved friends.

Mark lived in the Vancouver area his entire life. He attended elementary school at Sir Matthew Begbie in Vancouver and finished his school at Notre Dame High School in East Vancouver where he competed on each of the basketball, track and field and football teams in every one of his high school years. An all-around athlete to be sure, Mark’s greatest sports passion was undoubtedly football – where he, as co-captain, and his Notre Dame team won the B.C. high school football championship in 1975 and 1977. Mark continued this passion after graduation by coaching the Notre Dame football team for the next 44 years from 1978 until 2022. The only thing he was more proud of than the 7 B.C. high school football championships he earned (2 as a player, 5 as a coach) was his family.

Mark showed unflinching devotion to everything he truly loved – raising his sons with patience, humour and love; supporting his wife in her pursuits with humility, tenderness and love; nurturing long-lasting and deep friendships with his many and varied friends and, clearly, coaching “his” football teams with kindness and persistence. Bubba was also a stalwart fan of the San Francisco 49’ers, New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Vancouver Canucks and, obviously, the Notre Dame Jugglers.

Funeral mass will be held at Our Lady Of Sorrows 555 Sloan St. Vancouver at 11am on Friday, April 26, 2024. It is Mark’s / Bubba’s wish that the funeral not be a sad occasion and he requested that attendees dress in their favourite sports team wear.