Michael Burns

With deep sadness, Shelly Burns and Charles Burns share the news of the passing of their father, Michael Burns, on June 10, 2023, aged 85. Herbert Michael Burns was born on June 19, 1937, beloved brother of Joan Addison and the late Dinny Day, son of the late Charles F.W. and Janet Burns, and grandson of Herbert D. and Margarite Burns and Canada’s first woman senator, Cairine Wilson and Norman Wilson. In 2015 Michael Burns was widowed with the death of his wife, Sue Cathers Burns, and is survived by Judy Jenkins Burns, the mother of his children.

Michael lived a remarkable life. Born in Toronto and raised in King, Michael attended St. Andrew’s College before going to Trinity College School. At TCS, Michael excelled at everything. He was co-Head Prefect, a varsity athlete, and team captain in football, hockey and gymnastics. At Cornell University, he played football and hockey before following in his father’s footsteps onto Bay Street at Burns Brothers & Denton. From 1978-1998 Michael was Chairman and CEO of Crown Life, Extendicare and Crownx and served on many corporate boards over the years.

Informally, Michael was a trusted friend to the next generation in business. Many dropped in for his advice, his door always open. Being Stuart Cottrelle’s partner in Bayshore Home Health was one of Michael’s pinnacle successes.

Michael keenly felt an obligation to champion local causes and give a hand-up to those less fortunate. His hosting of the Country Day School annual auction is legendary in King Township lore. Michael supported many charities; he chaired United Way Toronto’s Major Gifts Cabinet, the new United Way of York Region, the York Regional Police Chief’s gala, and the McMichael Art Gallery, and hosted the G7 leaders and Iqaluit artists. He was President of the Royal Winter Fair and Chancellor of Renison College. He donated to every hospital foundation that asked and every worthy cause pitched by friends. Michael’s greatest benevolence went to Trinity College School. He built up his family’s legacy, the Burns Scholarship, for exceptional students from Atlantic Canada to receive a first-class education.

Farming and cattle were also Michael’s love. Kingfield Farm’s Simmental herd won every champion rosette. Michael was an early leader in AI (artificial insemination) with his bulls’ DNA enriching the bloodlines of today’s North American beef cattle. He was as comfortable birthing a calf as strategizing in corporate board rooms. In the immortal lyrics of Neil Diamond, “Money talks, but it don’t sing and dance ... I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans”.

Above all his accomplishments, Michael was our exceptional Dad. He was a rare single dad in the 1970s to us, Charles and Shelly Burns (Norman Kirton). His family grew: first with his second marriage to Sue and two young step-daughters, Kate Bahen and Tracey McCowen (Tommy Barlow), then, after his sister, Dinny, died of cancer, to her young teenagers, Catherine Day Phillips (Todd Phillips) and Richard Day (Lisa Carey). Dad’s farmhouse was a second home to many who came for the food and stayed for the fun. Michael made this possible and provided for all. More recently, Michael was loved as Granddad. He shared many generous gifts and exciting family adventures with Trevor and Lauren Kirton, Jack, Susie (Gabe Wallace) and Mikey Bahen, Blake and Colton Phillips, and Dinny Coco Day.

Dad grieved deeply for his wife, Sue. Since 2015, he had soldiered on with the wonderful friendship of the Merry Widowers of King, his TCS Old Boys, and his cadre of chums from the St. Andrew’s Club in Delray Beach, Florida. For 20 years, the support of Liezl van Griensven made it possible for him to live at his beloved farm. We are very grateful for the companionship of so many.

A service celebrating Dad’s life will be held at the church that he attended every Sunday, All Saints Anglican Church, 12935 Keele Street, King City on Thursday June 29, 2023, at 1 pm. A reception for all will follow at his farm.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Burns Scholarship at Trinity College School would have been Michael’s wish.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Burns family.