Obituary for Peter William McBurney
McBURNEY, Peter William -
Peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences on Monday, July 11, 2022. Peter McBurney, son of the late Gertrude (nee Bate) McBurney and AVM Ralph E. McBurney, dearly beloved husband for 62 years to Diane McBurney (nee Yates). Beloved father of Scott (Nicole) McBurney, Tracy McBurney (Cody Fenwick) and Brad McBurney (Stephanie Klypycz). Loving grandfather of Liam Fenwick and Andrew and Ian McBurney. Dear brother of David McBurney (Judi Allen) and the late Katherine (Marcel) Biolley. Dear Cousin of Dr. Robert McBurney, Caroline Yates (Andy Billesdon), and Jodi McBurney. Fondly remembered uncle of Todd (Karen) Yates, Tara (Shawn) Leonard, Drew Yates and their families. A Celebration of Life Service will take place in the Guildhall of the Old Mill on Thursday August 18, 2022 from 4 pm to 6 pm. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Amici Camping Charity, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum or a charity of your choice (in memory of Peter McBurney) would be appreciated by the family. Donations and online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com
The McBurney clan is deeply saddened by the loss of Big Pete, The Big Guy, Mouse, Papa Pete, Dad and Dear – monikers often affectionately adopted for Peter by his loving family.
Born in 1935, Peter spent most of his early years in Ottawa with the exception of 1946–1948 when the family relocated to England to join his father, AVM McBurney, who having served there during war, was appointed President of the RCAF War Crimes Court and was to assist in the repatriation of the RCAF presence in England. Peter shared many memories of those two years, his most impressive was to be present, at age 11, in the Investiture Room of Buckingham Palace to witness King George VI confer the CBE upon his father.
Upon returning to Canada, Peter attended Fisher Park High School excelling both scholastically and athletically (basketball, football, track and field) and school dances.
Upon graduation, he, as his father had, opted to study electrical engineering, taking his first two years at Carleton College and finishing his degree in 1957 with top honors at Queens University. Then, on a college Football Weekend in Toronto, he met his future wife Diane on a blind date arranged by friends. They would marry in 1959 and be together for 62 years.
Peter, who had acquired an interest in working in the patent and trademark field, conveniently landed a job in Toronto with Canadian General Electric and trained there to be a Patent Agent, studying evenings to pass the requirements for that designation.
Following three years with CGE, he joined the Patent Department of McCarthy and McCarthy. A decade later, he and Donald F. Sim with Dr. Harold Fox as Counsel, founded a boutique Patent and Trademark firm, Sim & McBurney, with which he remained for more than 45 years in the capacity of Founding Partner, Senior Partner and finally Senior Consultant. In 2015, Peter together with others, founded a new patent and trademark firm, Aird McBurney. He remained as Senior Consultant at this firm until his passing.
Peter served on the Council of the Intellectual Property Institute (IPIC) for 8 years and as President in 1986-1987. He was the Public Representative on the Discipline Committee (2014-2017) and on the Appeal Committee (2018) of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
Living 60 years in the same house in the Old Millside area, he was adamant about preserving the character and quality of life in this special area. He served on the Old Millside Committee for many years as a member and then President. He was the impetus in encouraging local protest against the city’s decision to close the South Kingsway ramp to the Gardiner Expressway – due to these efforts, and despite being told by the city that the closure was a done deal – the ramp remains open to this day – Big Pete took great pride in this one!
For over 40 years, Big Pete regularly fired off letters to persons in positions of power (proudly displayed on the kitchen fridge) calling out perceived abuses of power, conflicts of interest and incompetence. He firmly believed that solving a problem called for immediate action.
Peter, along with his wife Diane, were fortunate to enjoy extensive travel for business conferences, often followed by add-on trips of their own. International PATGOT (Patents and Trademarks Golf and Tennis), afforded an opportunity to establish and maintain a large network of international friends. Peter, a past-President of PATGOT, had his first “hole-in-one” at the meeting in Austria!
For leisure, golf was his game, playing at the Board of Trade Country Club since its inception. He was able to manage three games weekly in retirement until a balance problem curtailed that activity. Peter had fond memories of summers at the McBurney cottage at Danford Lake in the Gatineau, and later of good times with friends and family at the Deerhurst timeshare.
For years, anyone who visited during the holiday season would be awestruck by his extensive Dicken’s Village display. And he added an additional pleasure – a Santa’s extravaganza with a little working train and ski hill too.
Compromised by a cardiac condition, he relied on his iPad for both business matters and social media interaction, including family happenings, exchanging jokes, Netflix recommendations, sharing select video segments and reconnecting with old friends. He was able to enjoy grandsons’ activities, receive, then reflect on Tim Loman’s “Elder Advice”.
Sadly, Peter will miss a much-anticipated belated gift. In August, he was to experience a flight in a Lancaster bomber, particularly special given his fondness for WW II aircraft and Rolls Royce Merlin engines, both reminiscent of his dad’s posting at RCAF Station Trenton.
Peter, cherished his family, had a passion for Canadian Art, loved gardens (especially with water features), azaleas and The Masters and his view of the Humber River Valley from the back deck. He revered Winston Churchill, enjoyed Leonard Cohen, Frank Sinatra, his Porsche, good scotch and a daily cigar.
“Big Pete” – Big, not by physical size, (he was eclipsed in height by sons and grandsons ages ago), but by initiative, integrity, wise counsel, generosity, presence and personality..
“Smooth Landings” Big Guy
Peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences on Monday, July 11, 2022. Peter McBurney, son of the late Gertrude (nee Bate) McBurney and AVM Ralph E. McBurney, dearly beloved husband for 62 years to Diane McBurney (nee Yates). Beloved father of Scott (Nicole) McBurney, Tracy McBurney (Cody Fenwick) and Brad McBurney (Stephanie Klypycz). Loving grandfather of Liam Fenwick and Andrew and Ian McBurney. Dear brother of David McBurney (Judi Allen) and the late Katherine (Marcel) Biolley. Dear Cousin of Dr. Robert McBurney, Caroline Yates (Andy Billesdon), and Jodi McBurney. Fondly remembered uncle of Todd (Karen) Yates, Tara (Shawn) Leonard, Drew Yates and their families. A Celebration of Life Service will take place in the Guildhall of the Old Mill on Thursday August 18, 2022 from 4 pm to 6 pm. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Amici Camping Charity, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum or a charity of your choice (in memory of Peter McBurney) would be appreciated by the family. Donations and online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com
The McBurney clan is deeply saddened by the loss of Big Pete, The Big Guy, Mouse, Papa Pete, Dad and Dear – monikers often affectionately adopted for Peter by his loving family.
Born in 1935, Peter spent most of his early years in Ottawa with the exception of 1946–1948 when the family relocated to England to join his father, AVM McBurney, who having served there during war, was appointed President of the RCAF War Crimes Court and was to assist in the repatriation of the RCAF presence in England. Peter shared many memories of those two years, his most impressive was to be present, at age 11, in the Investiture Room of Buckingham Palace to witness King George VI confer the CBE upon his father.
Upon returning to Canada, Peter attended Fisher Park High School excelling both scholastically and athletically (basketball, football, track and field) and school dances.
Upon graduation, he, as his father had, opted to study electrical engineering, taking his first two years at Carleton College and finishing his degree in 1957 with top honors at Queens University. Then, on a college Football Weekend in Toronto, he met his future wife Diane on a blind date arranged by friends. They would marry in 1959 and be together for 62 years.
Peter, who had acquired an interest in working in the patent and trademark field, conveniently landed a job in Toronto with Canadian General Electric and trained there to be a Patent Agent, studying evenings to pass the requirements for that designation.
Following three years with CGE, he joined the Patent Department of McCarthy and McCarthy. A decade later, he and Donald F. Sim with Dr. Harold Fox as Counsel, founded a boutique Patent and Trademark firm, Sim & McBurney, with which he remained for more than 45 years in the capacity of Founding Partner, Senior Partner and finally Senior Consultant. In 2015, Peter together with others, founded a new patent and trademark firm, Aird McBurney. He remained as Senior Consultant at this firm until his passing.
Peter served on the Council of the Intellectual Property Institute (IPIC) for 8 years and as President in 1986-1987. He was the Public Representative on the Discipline Committee (2014-2017) and on the Appeal Committee (2018) of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
Living 60 years in the same house in the Old Millside area, he was adamant about preserving the character and quality of life in this special area. He served on the Old Millside Committee for many years as a member and then President. He was the impetus in encouraging local protest against the city’s decision to close the South Kingsway ramp to the Gardiner Expressway – due to these efforts, and despite being told by the city that the closure was a done deal – the ramp remains open to this day – Big Pete took great pride in this one!
For over 40 years, Big Pete regularly fired off letters to persons in positions of power (proudly displayed on the kitchen fridge) calling out perceived abuses of power, conflicts of interest and incompetence. He firmly believed that solving a problem called for immediate action.
Peter, along with his wife Diane, were fortunate to enjoy extensive travel for business conferences, often followed by add-on trips of their own. International PATGOT (Patents and Trademarks Golf and Tennis), afforded an opportunity to establish and maintain a large network of international friends. Peter, a past-President of PATGOT, had his first “hole-in-one” at the meeting in Austria!
For leisure, golf was his game, playing at the Board of Trade Country Club since its inception. He was able to manage three games weekly in retirement until a balance problem curtailed that activity. Peter had fond memories of summers at the McBurney cottage at Danford Lake in the Gatineau, and later of good times with friends and family at the Deerhurst timeshare.
For years, anyone who visited during the holiday season would be awestruck by his extensive Dicken’s Village display. And he added an additional pleasure – a Santa’s extravaganza with a little working train and ski hill too.
Compromised by a cardiac condition, he relied on his iPad for both business matters and social media interaction, including family happenings, exchanging jokes, Netflix recommendations, sharing select video segments and reconnecting with old friends. He was able to enjoy grandsons’ activities, receive, then reflect on Tim Loman’s “Elder Advice”.
Sadly, Peter will miss a much-anticipated belated gift. In August, he was to experience a flight in a Lancaster bomber, particularly special given his fondness for WW II aircraft and Rolls Royce Merlin engines, both reminiscent of his dad’s posting at RCAF Station Trenton.
Peter, cherished his family, had a passion for Canadian Art, loved gardens (especially with water features), azaleas and The Masters and his view of the Humber River Valley from the back deck. He revered Winston Churchill, enjoyed Leonard Cohen, Frank Sinatra, his Porsche, good scotch and a daily cigar.
“Big Pete” – Big, not by physical size, (he was eclipsed in height by sons and grandsons ages ago), but by initiative, integrity, wise counsel, generosity, presence and personality..
“Smooth Landings” Big Guy