We Remember

BURT, Donald Irving
January 26, 1929 — May 18, 2025
It is with great love and admiration that we announce the loss of Donald Irving Burt, who passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, at the age of 96, in Kelowna, BC.
Donald’s parents emigrated from the West Indies and eventually settled in Monte Lake, where he was born on January 26, 1929 – the youngest of eight children. From a young age, he learned the value of hard-working farm life, but with an amazingly strong mother who also made sure there were plenty of fun times. As a young man, he moved to Vancouver to pursue a plumbing apprenticeship, which led to work in construction camps that took him across Canada, as far as the Maritimes. It was at this time that he pursued violin lessons, which led to a lifelong love of music, eventually adding guitar, organ, and accordion to his repertoire. He even went so far as to buy his wife a drum set so she could join him in his passion! Donald had a practical mind and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and together with his wife Jean, they had many adventures, calling a little travel trailer their home as they followed the work.
As their family grew, first with his 2 daughters, they eventually settled down, spending years in Kamloops, White Rock, and Vancouver. He always made time for trips with his family, and the first home that he built himself involved digging out the basement by hand, moving over 2,000 wheelbarrows of dirt, to finish the basement! In the late 1970s, he began constructing a large log home on the 45 acres they purchased in Sorrento, harvesting the logs off the property and building a beautiful home by his own hand. They settled here with their son Richard for many wonderful years.
Family meant a great deal to him, and he took pride in being present, dependable, and deeply involved in their lives. There were so many trips and family gatherings over the years, with music being the central theme. He played with his music buddies, for his grandchildren, and – later in life -he would perform at seniors homes, well into his 80s. Music connected him with many people over the years. He was known for his quirky humour and curiosity about other people and the world. He loved a good conversation in spite of the growing deafness!
At 87, he planned and completed a three-week cycling trip through Cuba with his daughter and granddaughter. They had shipped their bikes ahead and landed in Havana just after Fidel Castro’s death, navigating busy streets filled with mourners. That trip, like much of his life, reflected his independent spirit and willingness to take on challenges and try something new.
He now goes to join his beloved wife Jean (d. 2016); siblings Les, Ivor, Babs, Harry, Daphne, and Nora, who passed before him.
Donald leaves behind a wealth of love, including his children Terry, Lesley, and Richard (Carmen); grandchildren Amber, Aaron, Krista (Clint), Georgia (Lel), Zachary, Mackenzie (Lauren) Madison, Logan (Martina), and great-grandchildren Irma, Malawi, Grecia, and Solomon; and his brother Ronnie.
A steady presence, a sharp mind, and a unique sense of humour—these are just a few of the qualities that left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. His impact will live on through the people he loved, the values he passed down, and the many memories shared along the way.
The family will be holding a Celebration of Life for Donald on the summer solstice, June 21, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at the Notch Hill Hall, 1639 Notch Hill Road, Sorrento, BC.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location
Notch Hill Hall
Thinking of all of you with much love 💕 Great Uncle Don was a great man 💖
Lisa(Haines) Parr and family
Cousin Lisa
Approximately 45 years ago we had the wonderful experience of meeting and forming a friendship with both Don & Jean. They welcomed us into their home and treated us like family, where we spent many years forming life long memories of which I will always cherish. Although I won’t be there I I will raise a glass of wine to you on Saturday honouring a man with a big heart and gentle sole “Cheers”