DEATH NOTICE: Robert (Bob) Burns, father of Firefighter Al Burns passed away.

1932-2025

Peacefully, at the age of 93, from natural causes, the family of Robert (Bob) Burns tearfully said goodbye to this gentle soul on December 13, 2025.

He has left us to join his much missed loved ones, particularly his beloved wife, Helen Edwards (2012), daughter Bonnie Jean (1979), and parents Martin Burns (1976) & Jessie McFadden (1979).

Left to mourn are children Laurie (Perry Watson), Bruce (Corinne Ramey), Wally (Debra Hidlebaugh and the late Karen Findlay (2010)), Donna (Jeff Daw), and Allan (Stephanie Barnett). He will be missed by sister Lorna (Charles Glennie), his companion Eileen McFadden Vaillancourt and her family, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends near and far.

Bob loved his grandchildren and followed their lives with pride. Dale (Kyla Levesque) and Julia (Justin Coumartin) Watson; Jessica (Brayden Polson), Rebecca, and Keith (Sarah Graham) Burns; Levi (Stuart Hamre) and Mackenzie (Jay Lavergne) Burns; Jeffs’ son Jordan (Kimberly Bode-Ferguson) Daw; Debra’s daughters Kathleen (Travis Getson) and Jennifer Powell.

The arrival of great-grandchildren Finley and Jack Polson; Abigail and Edward Watson; Charlie and Cameron Lavergne; Beckett and Emmett Getson; and the announcement of a new one on the way in the new year (Keith & Sarah), was of immense pleasure to him. They will all grow up to learn what a fine man their great-grandfather, “Grandpa Bob,” was.

Bob spent his life in Navan, raising his family on his Vannaview Holsteins dairy farm. He played goalie in his youth in surrounding communities, took up curling and remote control airplane flying in his retirement. Bob was very involved as a builder of the community, receiving recognition from the City of Ottawa and the village of Navan for his volunteer work with Cumberland Township Agricultural Society, Navan–Vars United Church, and regional and provincial agricultural society organizations. His last role with the Navan Fair was organizing the Parade, which he did with his usual wit and patience.

Nothing made Bob happier than when family and friends gathered to enjoy a meal and tell stories. There was always room for one more at his large table.

Friends and family may call at Heritage Funeral Home, 1250 Trim Road, on Friday, January 9, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral will be at Navan-Vars United Church, 1129 Smith Road, Navan on Saturday January 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served at St Mary’s Hall, 1171 Smith Road, Navan, following the funeral.

Spring Inurnment will be at Dale’s Cemetery, Cumberland.

Anyone wishing to make donations in Bob’s name to the Navan-Vars United Church or to the TOH Bearbrook Transitional Unit would be gratefully appreciated by the family.

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