J. Lionel Burns (BaSc, P.Eng)

It is with sadness we announce, that after a courageous battle with cancer, J. Lionel Burns passed away peacefully on April 1^st at the age of 81, having lived a full and happy life, surrounded by his family.

Lionel is survived by his loving wife and best friend Tracey Lee Burns, nee Belyea, his son Sean Burns, his daughter-in-law Sandra Burns (Munnoch), his daughter Stacey Burns, his grandchildren Jack Burns and Maggie Burns, his sisters Priscilla Murray (Joe) and Loretta Wicklund (Dick), many nephews, nieces and in-laws. He is predeceased by his parents Frank Burns and Mary Burns (Glode), his siblings Joe Burns (Theresa), Lillian Brice (Gerry), Bob Burns (Diane), Jim Burns (Lillian), Dan Burns (Lyn) and Violet Burns.

Lionel was born on May 8, 1943 to Frank and Mary Burns as the youngest of nine children in an Irish family and grew up in Saint-Patrice-de-Beaurivage, Quebec where he spent his early years on the family farm.

Lionel attended David & Mary Thompson Collegiate in Scarborough, Ontario where he made lifelong friends.  After high school, Lionel enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Regular Officers Training Plan and enrolled in Electrical Engineering at U of T. In between his university years he spent his summers at military bases Centralia, North Bay and Cold Lake. After graduating in Electrical Engineering (67), Lionel served as a telecommunications and radar officer and ended his military service in 1968 at 202 Workshop (RCEME) Montreal. It was in Montreal that Lionel met the love of his life, Tracey Lee a registered nurse working in the dialysis unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital and they were married on June 27, 1970. After eight years of military service, in 1970 Lionel began a 36-year career in telecommunications with Bell Canada and its affiliates Bell Northern Research, Trans Canada Telephone System, Telecom Canada, Stentor and the Frequency Coordination System Association. After retirement in 2006, Lionel and Tracey enjoyed many winters in Panama City Beach, Florida playing golf, and travelling to many countries in Europe, South America, Asia and the South Pacific.

Lionel was a devoted family man who was very proud of his children and adored his grandchildren. He loved and participated in sports including hockey, golf, cross country skiing and pickleball.  He enjoyed summer outdoor activities with many family camping trips and an annual canoe /fishing trip in Algonquin Park with high school buddies. He also volunteered coaching local minor sports and raising funds for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.

The Burns family will receive relatives and friends for condolences on Wednesday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. A funeral service will follow at Beechwood at 1 p.m. A reception and a celebration of Lionel’s life will be held immediately after the funeral service at Beechwood.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.