We Remember
BURTON, Mitchell William Tory – Updated Service Information
March 20, 1990 — May 29, 2025
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 11:00 am, in the Family Centre at Springfield Funeral Home. Should guests wish to come early to socialize, the doors will be open at 10:30am. Refreshments will be served from noon – 1pm. If you wish to attend, please Click Here to Register.
Mitchell passed away at his residence in Kelowna, BC on May 29, 2025 at the age of 35. Mitchell is survived by his loving parents Sharon and Bob, and his special Aunt Pat. He leaves behind uncles, aunts, and cousins in Quebec and Nova Scotia.
Mitch (as he was affectionately known) was born in Calgary, AB and attended Elboya High School and Master’s Academy. After graduation, he headed to Ottawa, ON to pursue his passion for photography at the renowned School of Photographic Art. He did a number of photo art shows, his biggest show titled ‘SEATS’ was featured on CBC radio. A decade later, he moved across the country to Kelowna, BC and enrolled into Okanagan College, where he traded in his photographic interests for a welding torch.
A very intelligent and well-read person, Mitch was creative, handy, open to good discussions, and willing to help anyone.
Mitch was highly active throughout his entire life; he loved being outdoors. He played in most team sports – particularly, rugby. He loved snowboarding in the Rockies, fly-fishing in BC, and hiking with his Bassett hound, Perrault. He also enjoyed many golf games with his parents and friends over the years.
Mitch loved to cook gourmet meals, to be surrounded by guests and family. He also enjoyed listening to his large music collection.
Mitch was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Times that were shared will forever be beautiful reminders of Mitchell.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Sharon, Bob and Pat
Our deepest most affectionate condolences to you all. Mitchell was a great cook and he was way too much fun to be around. We enjoyed coming over to the Burton’s and celebrate many occasions. We will miss him very much.
Hugs and love
Christine & Enn
Mitch was one of the bestest friends I ever had. Our friendship was too short but in the short two years that he was in my life on a regular basis, he had made a significant impact in my life. We had first met in 2020 when I was still living in kelowna. I had gone to DunnEnzies and it had happened to be trivia night. I ran into a mutual friend of ours who was sitting with a group of other people (him being one of them). I joined there table, and he was impressed to discover that I actually wasn’t half bad at trivia. From then on, a friendship was born and we continued to go to trivia every Tuesday night until covid changed that. We really kicked ass at trivia, and together were pretty unstoppable. We bonded alot over a variety of things. Music, books, dark twisted humor etc. We both had record collections and would often swap and borrow records to listen to. We even went to a couple record sales together, one being in Vernon. That was a fun day. He was very influential in my life and was always there to have a good time. He influenced me to get the record player that I have today, and even came over to help set it up. He influenced me to get the van that I own. I was suppose to buy a truck that day but came home with the damn van instead. Mitch talked me out of it and was always so persuasive and convincing. He was always there when we needed help with something around the house. When I was in the hospital, he was one of the few that visited. He had brought me a book that he thought I would like. I still have it today. It’s called ‘Mother Night’ by Kurt Vonnegut. When I left the hospital, he was there to pick me up and drive me home. He even treated me to breakfast afterwards at the Pepper Pot Grill in West K. I had so many laughs with that guy and he will forever be remembered fondly. I could really go on and on about the guy. Unfortunately I moved east in 2023 and haven’t seen him since but, I am blessed with thousands of text messages that still make me laugh reading them. Mitch, you will be missed so damn much and I hope you know how much you meant to me and to so many others. You were so talented and gifted. And a wonderful host who “really knows how to handle his meat”. Cheers to the greatest trivia partner i will ever have.
“Rosè all day”
“Remember laughter”
Until we meet again ya “dreamboat”.
Words are hard to find. My best friend. Just want to share some photos for now. His light will shine in my heart forever.
<3
Bob. Sharon, Pat
It is with great sadness that I learned the passing of Mitchell. I had the pleasure of meeting Mitchell couple of times over the years via Pat. I clearly remember him as a caring, kind. pleasant person with a great personality and sense of humor.. Gone way too soon. May you rest in peace Mitchell.
My deepest sympathies.
Courage and strength in this difficult time
Louise (Pat”s friend)
My heart is broken for you. Just found out and can’t imagine the pain you’re going through. Alan and I send condolences and love.
Dear Sharon and Bob, I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear son Mitchell. It is one of the hardest things to deal with as parents.. We lost our son Marc 2 years ago.. it’s not the way it’s supposed to be. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you… Take care of each other. Diane
Bobby, Sharon and Pat. I am so sorry for your loss. Unimaginable pain. Cherish your memories. (Your cousin Heather)
Sharon and Bob,
We are so saddened to hear about Mitchell and our thoughts of love and support are with you. We’re here to listen if you need to talk. In the meantime, let your happy memories of Mitchell bring you comfort in this difficult time.
All our love Terry and Lynn
Very sad to see such a vibrant young man gone from this world too soon. My sincere condolences. Pete.
I was a classmate and friend of Mitch’s during our time at SPAO. This photo of him graduating captures his impish grin.. I’m so sadden to think I’ll never see it again. His friends all loved him/ My sincere condolences to his family..
Vera
Sharon and Bob, we were so saddened to hear about Mitchell. He was much too young to leave this world. Always enjoyed the stories you told about his love of cooking and sports. These memories you will always have with you. Take care of each other. Hugs, Don & Gwen
Bobby, Sharon and Pat, I remember speaking with him at your mom’s funeral and he was such a kind young man with a big heart. My deepest sympathies.
This is really hard to write.
Let me preface by saying I never called him Mitchell. He had a tattoo on his arm that originally said “warn others,” but it was partially covered and it said “varn others”. Therefore, from the week we met, I have called him Varn.
This is the condolences and goodbye to a man who was in all intents and purposes was my brother. I loved him dearly and this broke me to the essence of my being. It basically took me a week to write this because I would end up paralyzed and cry due to the extreme impossibility and darkness of this whole situation.
I met Varn in the summer of 2012 in Ottawa. I was at a coffee shop and started a conversation with the barista. I am a little brash and playful with a dark sense of humour. She said,” You should meet my boyfriend, you sound exactly like him”. He went to the photography school across the street. We met and that was it. We instantly formed the “Collition of Mitchells”
We hung out every night that I was there.
I returned over the years and we had poker nights where we would go to the casino. Smoke cigars and talk into the night.
We shared many interests that we enjoyed together, which formed some of my best memories. We went on a scuba trip together in Napanee. We also had a snowboarding trip together.
Always the greatest person to be with. We talked endless hours together over the years.
As I write this, I feel the emptiness.
I just miss him.
I can’t believe he is gone. My brother will never be there to joke with me, share stories, and laugh.
(God, did we laugh together.)
I really can’t say enough, and in a way, I don’t want to stop writing about him because then it will feel that much more final.
I was looking forward to having him involved in my wedding. I wanted to have him at the other end of the phone. I never even thought it would happen so suddenly and soon. I feel the emptiness of all the future memories that were dashed.
I can’t imagine what his parents are going through. If you need anything… I would love to talk about him with you because I never want to forget about him.
He was the best. Really, the best guy I knew. There was a depth of an old soul in this man. He was a bon vivant. I can’t convey how much you meant to me. I am glad you knew and I knew how much we meant to each other.
Varn, I miss you, I love you, thank you for you.
Mitch being mitch
photo of us on our snowboarding adventure
Losing Mitchell ( my nephew) has been so tragic!
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to both Sharon and Bob.
Mitchell was “the light of their lives”!
I have more photos of Mitchell growing up, but few as an adult. Below is Mitchell, about to go fishing at our cottage on Lake Malaga, Austin, Quebec. Mitchell often visited his paternal grandparents here!
Mitchell and I and his parents, loved to ski! Mitchell was a snowboarder and I have many great memories of skiing with Mitchell in Banff, Alberta, on one of my many trips out to Calgary over the years.
Mitchell, I love you and will miss you forever!
Until we meet again, your Aunt Pat( antique)