Bryan William Burns

2026

Oct 5

November 26, 1949 - September 30, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Bryan Burns announces his passing on September 30, 2026 in Edmonton, Alberta.
He is predeceased by his parents, Norah & Jack Burns, his parents-in-law, Herrick & Rosalind McKinnon, and his step-father-in-law, Walter Kotanko. He is also predeceased by aunts, uncles, cousins, and many good friends.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Burns, his son, Kory (Shelley) Burns, his daughter, Brandy Burns (Jeff Weber), his brother, Darrell (Charlotte) Burns, brother-in-law Danny (Linda) McKinnon, brother-in-law Pat (Linda) McKinnon, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Bryan was the firstborn to Jack & Norah Burns after they married in 1947. They remained in the neighbourhood of Parkdale, where they had both grown up and were proud to call home, raising Bryan and his younger brother, Darrell, in the house Uncle Doug built on 88th Street. Bryan’s childhood was spent playing baseball, throwing rocks, curling, enjoying time on the Bob Burns and Doug Bowman family farms, and anything that involved trucks. The Burns family was a horse show family so Bryan grew up alongside his cousins around fairgrounds throughout Edmonton.
After high school, Bryan attended Olds College, where he formed many lifelong friendships. It was during these years that he was given the nickname “Bert”, a name that stuck with him over the years, and one that many people still call him to this day.
It was at Old College where he met the love of his life, his wee girl from Saskatchewan, Linda, and they married on April 6, 1974, with Kory Sean by their side. Three years later, in 1977, they welcomed Brandy Rae, completing their happy family.
Bryan and Linda started their own trucking company in 1976 with a bodyjob truck. Bryan then worked as a dispatcher for CP Rail Intermodal through part of the 80s. In 1989, he got his class one driver’s license and his first semi and ran BTL Transport until the mid-2000s when he retired and worked for Strathcona County and then later for Care For A Ride.
A natural lifelong athlete, Bryan loved staying active and sharing those adventures with his family. Together, they biked and cross-country skied through Edmonton’s river valley, downhill skied in the Rocky Mountains, swam and waterskied at Dillberry Lake, and went on family camping trips in their tent trailer. Golf was also a favourite pastime - he even got a hole-in-one in 1995, a memory he was certainly proud of - but baseball was a lifelong love of Bryan’s. He coached Kory through Little League and played Seniors Slowpitch until just two years ago. He watched many, many baseball games on TV, with a bowl of chips and dip nearby, often accompanied by a well-earned nap.
Music was another important part of Bryan’s life. He enjoyed playing guitar and piano and he had an eclectic taste in music, listening to everything from The Rolling Stones to Hank Williams.
Bryan also had a deep love for the family pets who shared their lives over the years. Their dogs–Auggie Doggie, Stanley, and Jersey–and their cats–Jean, Boots, and Larry–were much-loved members of the family.
Bryan and Linda travelled extensively, with trips to Hawaii, Mexico, the Maritime provinces–where they developed a particular love for PEI–Vancouver Island, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ireland, and many trips to Guatemala.
Bryan was a true lifelong volunteer! He supported Santa’s Anonymous, The Christmas Bureau, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, local community leagues, Sask-Alta Days for Girls, and many more. Bryan would help anyone–he always drove a pick-up truck and helped countless people move, gave a ride to anyone who needed one, and lent a helping hand wherever he could. This same generosity extended to his family–he enjoyed spending time at the McKinnon family farm, helping his brothers-in-law with all kinds of farming tasks. He also steadfastly looked after his mother and her friend throughout their senior years, making sure they were supported and cared for.
A stellar friend, Bryan kept in touch with countless people over his lifetime, and he was always available to meet for a coffee or a beer. If you knew him, you also knew of his love of hot dogs, ice cream, beer, and so much more; it was not hard to make him smile with a snack or dessert. Bryan also had a special sense of humour and had a self-appointed nickname: “The Jungle Cat.” He loved signing cards with his beloved handle, and even included it in his email address: junglecatburns@gmail
A Celebration of Life will be on:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
1:30pm - 4pm
Hazeldean Community Hall
9360-66 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta
Please bring your stories! There will be an open mic portion at the memorial and we encourage and welcome you to tell a story of Bryan….there are many.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Bryan, please consider the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories as they were so helpful during our family’s journey with Alzheimer’s.