Burcher, Frank H.
Born May 20, 1923, passed away peacefully at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Burlington on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Francis Hanley Charles Burcher at the age of 86 years. Beloved husband of the late Shirley (1995) Loving father of Lise Burcher and her husband Maurice Nelischer, Caren Burcher (Tinsley) , Chris Burcher and his dear friend Wendy Lehman and Jeffery Burcher and his wife Mila. Dear grandfather of Pamela (Brent), Daniel (Tammy), Andrew, Jennifer, Alexander, Katherine, Claire, Julia, Madeleine, Christine and Shannelle. Special friend and companion of Louise Kot.
Frank embraced life with a yearning for adventure, a generous heart and invincible spirit. He lived life with an open heart, accepting and engaging all experiences and people he encountered. A man of tremendous honour and integrity, his hallmark with family, friends and colleagues was his way of following his finely tuned moral compass with immense dedication and determination in all endevours, no matter how arduous. He served his family, his community and his profession with devotion and grace throughout his lifetime.
He approached his personal interests and his craft with vigor and enthusiasm. Frank enlisted with the Canadian Navy in the fall of 1942 having just reached the legal age of acceptance. Although he had never before left the safety of land, he served on the corvette Dunvegan from December 1943 until May of 1945 shepherding wartime conveys across the Atlantic. Following his military service he became a registered architect after graduating from the University of Toronto in 1951. Frank went on to establish his own architectural firm, Frank H. Burcher Architect, in Hamilton, Ontario and enjoyed a creative and prolific career while designing numerous churches, schools, residences and many civic buildings throughout southern Ontario. He continued to practice throughout his lifetime with the past 20 years of his career devoted to heritage research and restoration only halting his work due to his recent illness and holds the distinction of being the longest practicing Architect in Ontario.
Frank balanced his committed career with a penchant for fun and adventure with his family and friends. With equal measure of challenge and calamity, the collected stories are legendary. Whether squeezing his family of six into an old gaff rigged and high maintenance wooden sloop or careening down the slopes of the ski club Holimont, that he co-founded and continued to ski at until the age of 82, Frank ensured that his family experienced the joys of both hard work and hard play.
Affectionately known in sequence as Buddy, Frank, Dad and Papa, he will be sadly missed by many offspring, extended family and friends. His legacy will live on with us through celebration of his joy in life through the recounting of many hilarious stories and many heartfelt experiences.
A very special thank you to Dr. Kancherla, and the staff of the Intensive Care Unit and 3rd Floor Close Observations Unit at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital for their exemplary professional care and compassion.
Visitation at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street (one block North of City Hall), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Friday from 3-5 & 7-9 pm. with Vigil Prayers at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 287 Plains Rd., Burlington on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 10 am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Ontario Association of Architects Educational Scholarship Fund "OAA Trust Fund", will be graciously accepted.
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