Obituary of Daniel Arthur Paul BURTON

BURTON, Daniel Arthur Paul Daniel Arthur Paul Burton (Boppa Dan to his grandchildren) was born June 20,1938 in Cranbrook B.C. Dan Enjoyed a happy childhood with his two older sisters, Pam & Sherry and his younger brother Dougie. Dan held many unique and varied jobs over the years, a bowling alley pin setter, a bartender, CP Railway bookkeeper, census taker, & Flemish Rabbit Farmer, before Dan found his calling in the Airline Industry. In 1961 Dan met his wife to be Joyce at a Dance at the Bluebird Dance hall in Cranbrook. They fell in love and Married that year. Together they raised two children, rescued numerous cats, dogs and horses and had 54 happy years together until Joyce’s death in 2016. Dan was a wonderful Dad, caring, loving, involved. His girls were the world to him. He could always be counted on to rescue Adele from every spider encounter even if it meant driving in his car to her apartment to “save her”. He was our champion. On more than one occasion flying to wherever we were to drive home with us in snow storms to ensure our safety. Dan was years ahead of his time ensuring that his daughters knew how to shovel snow, mow lawns, pour concrete, change tires, use tools and at the same time he shared in diaper duties, bottle feeding, lunch making and cooked equally as well and as much as our Mom did. He raised us with the knowledge and skills to do anything we set our minds to. Dan was the first married agent that Canadian Pacific Airlines had and was asked to live in the North in Fort Nelson (Mile 300 on the Alaska Highway) as his first station. He was a one man station in the very beginning but soon moved up the ladder to Airline Manager for CPAir in Fort Nelson. In 1979 Dan transferred as CPAir Manager to Grande Prairie. After an illustrious 28 year career in the airline industry Dan retired in 1989 when Air Canada took over CPAir. A couple of years later Dan and Joyce decided to take an opportunity to get into business for themselves and for 9 years ran the Grimm’s Meats distributorship in Grande Prairie and throughout the Peace Country. Dan was a natural at sales and even made it into the Grimm’s Millionaire’s club (million dollars in sales). They sold their distributorship in 2000 to move closer to their family in Strathmore. Dan was an all around athlete, He was an accomplished Curler, winning many bonspiels and competitions both in mens play and in mixed with his wife Joyce and still has the bragging rights as the only one in the family who has scored an eight ender. While very successful in competitions it was also very important that the weekends be filled with pranks and laughter. Dan’s legacy of his love of curling lives on and has passed from Dad to Daughter to Grandson. Dan was a fixture at the curling rink watching Scott and his team every chance he could and could always be counted on to provide a libation as a pick me up if the team was struggling. He was an excellent golfer and also had the bragging rights as the only one in the family with a hole in one. He was a terrific bowler and once bowled a perfect game in 5 pin bowling. He was a great fastball player and particularly a pitcher, and it was said that there wasn’t a batter that Dan couldn’t strike out with his wicked windmill pitch. Dan was a swimmer and in his younger years swam across Moyer lake in Cranbrook, he played shuffleboard, tennis, darts, racquetball, he loved to ride his bike upwards of 100km per week. Dan also loved to watch hockey and rarely missed a flames game on T.V. He also loved to join his granddaughter Cassidy to watch some of Strathmore’s up and coming talent at the local rink and in particular Bailey. Dan was an active volunteer throughout his life, serving on many Boards, Clubs, Service Organizations, and Advisory councils. He was an avid fan of his children and grandchildren’s interests, he never missed a school play, Christmas concert, Piano recital, Band concert, Baseball game, Lacrosse game, Curling Game, Slow Pitch Game, Swim Meet, Skype session or Lunch date. He also never missed a Monday afternoon visit with his Grand Dog Charlie that may have included dog treats and perhaps a snooze on the couch for both of them. He could always be counted on to have treats in his pockets whenever he would join Charlie at the dog park in Strathmore and you would always see a swarm of dogs surrounding him in his wheelchair just waiting for their chance to get one of his tasty treats. Dan also had passion for Bridge and loved playing every Wednesday with his bridge club and any other chance he could. There was not a single person who encountered Dan that didn’t immediately like him and become his friend. Dan especially enjoyed his weekly coffee sessions with his coffee group and together they all solved a lot of the world’s problems (at least that was their story and they stuck to it). Dan was a medical miracle for the past 20 years of his life, battling Arthritis, Bursitis, Lip cancer, Leukaemia, Kidney dialysis, Kidney transplant, numerous bouts of pneumonia and during this past two years his battle with gangrene. However all the while he held on to his positive attitude and can do spirit. Dan was an inspiration to all who knew him. Dan passed away on December 7, 2017 as the oldest living male in his families history. He will be forever remembered by his daughters Lorelei Garnett (Jack), Adele Davidson (Darcey), his four grandchildren Ashten Garnett (Matt), Scott Garnett (Jacqueline), Carly Davidson (Richard), Cassidy Davidson (Bailey) his beloved grand dog Charlie, Sister Pam Waites as well as many cherished Nieces, Nephews, family members and friends. We’ll save you a seat at the rink BOPPA. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Piesas and to all the staff at the Wheatland Lodge for the incredible and Compassionate care Dan has received over the past two years. At Dan’s request, there will be no service or funeral. In lieu of flowers or cards please make a donation to Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (5060 74 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 3C9 or www.aarcs.ca) To send condolences, please click on the link below or email directly to: condolences@wheatlandfuneralhome.ca Send Condolences