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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
McBURNEY, James Harold - age 80 years old of Halifax, Nova Scotia passed away on 10 May 2022.
Born in Timmins Ontario on 17 April 1942 he was the son of Vivian (Brading) McBurney and Charles McBurney.
As a young man, he enlisted into the navy on 15 March 1961 as an ordinary seaman and would retire from a dynamic military career 35 years later as a lieutenant commander. He served on the tribal-class destroyer HMCS HAIDA, the Majestic-class aircraft carrier HMCS BONAVENTURE and the operation support ship HMCS PROTECTEUR just to name a few. During the two and a half decades as a member of the Canadian Forces, he made many good friends and amassed a large collection of “war stories” about all the adventures he had experienced. He enjoyed nothing more than having a get-together with friends and family where he could regale everyone with a tale or two.
Never a man to sit idle for long periods of time, upon his retirement in 1996, he obtained a degree in environmental management and went to work as a private contractor at the Bruce Power Plant for two years. He then gradually eased his way into retired life by becoming increasingly involved in the operations at the Armdale Yacht Club, a member of the taxi driver committee, and an advocate helping the local conservative candidate campaign for office.
He always had a love of the ocean and eventually, this passion focused his attention on the Armdale Yacht Club, where he became the Commodore in 2008, 2010, and 2011. During this time, he dedicated the bulk of his time working with his team to affect positive change and participating in social events with the membership he both respected and loved. Even after his term as commodore was over, he continued to support the Yacht Club staff with all their endeavors. This love was further reflected in the many gatherings with family and friends he hosted with his wife Anna Chow at his home in Brookside, where people may have left jovial and laughing but never left hungry.
Having spent much of his youth traveling, his desire to travel and see the world burned strong well into his retirement. Some of the most memorable places he would speak of were his trips to China, Egypt Germany, and Italy where the memories of the places were second only to the memories he created with people. A very gregarious individual, people could not help but want to befriend him.
Very much a family man, his love for his family was evident in the way he would speak with pride about his daughters, his grandchildren, and his extended family. He never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it and was a positive presence in all their lives.
He is survived by his common-law wife Anna Chow, his sister Pat Wurster, his daughters Kathleen McBurney and Ruth Morton, his stepdaughters Pearl Duffy, Tanya Boyd, and Judy Joe Scheffler, his son in law Jeff Morton, and his grandsons Charlie Morton, Keith Morton, Andy Morton, Liam Duffy, Cooper Smith and his granddaughters Josie Duffy, Suzanna-Joe Boyd, and Maggie Boyd.
He is predeceased by his mother Vivian, his father Charlie, his late wife Sylvia McBurney, His stepdaughter Jessica Smith and his in-laws Tony and Martha Roeding.
There will be a private family graveside funeral at the Sunrise Park Inter-faith Cemetery on 22 May 2022 and a Celebration of Life held at the Armdale Yacht Club on 23 May 2022 from 2:00-4:00 pm where all friends and family are invited to celebrate his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. (J.A. Snow Funeral Home)
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