September 25, 1947 – June 28, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David, affectionately known as “Smokey” Burgess, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the age of 74.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, Ingibjorg Hallson and George Burgess.
David will be forever missed by his wife of 38 years, Jeanette (“J”) Burgess, and his children Jennifer Sarna (Jeff), Jodi Webb (Brandon), Jarid Burgess, Robyn Burgess (Chad Maendel), his brother Stephen (Larisa) and his five grandchildren, Alexandra and Cameron Sarna, William and Signy Webb, and Austin Maendel.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, David cherished growing up in the North End where he discovered his passion for sports at Northwood CC such as hockey (winning the Midget AChampionship for Manitoba), football and baseball. From a young age he also took to dancing and music forming his first band in 1964 known as the Misfits, followed by multiple bands such as Sticks and Stones, the Pallbearers, and Footloose and Fancy Free where he met one of his biggest music idols, Burton Cummings, who taught him how to play the keyboard. You could find him bragging about his Shakin All Over music event at our Annual Burgess Xmas Eve parties to anyone who would listen.
Being the active sports enthusiast that he was, in his later yearshe opted to coach his children in all of their sporting endeavors.
In April 2019, he received a Lifetime Achievement Tribute as Female Director of St Vital Minor Hockey Association. He joined the SVMHA in 2004 and for 16 years he coached, administered,and oversaw the SVMHA in its entirety.
Dave was Umpire–in–Chief for SloPitch National (SPN) at the Waverley Complex from 1991 to 2019 and was presented with the Service Excellence Award at the 2018 Field of Dreams Induction Dinner for his 30+ years involvement.
His biggest joy was being a dedicated member of his communitywhere he committed to numerous years as a volunteer.
His passion and dedication is what separated him from others as it was evident in his love and enthusiasm for the game. You would be sure to hear his undeniable voice and laughter both on and off the ice and ballfields.
Dave was larger than life and was certain to put a smile on anyone’s face that walked into a room. We have lost a person with such incredible energy and spirit who will be rememberedand missed by all who were fortunate enough to have met him.
He wanted to share this poem with you all which he had placed on his office door:
“Remember me with smiles and laughter
For that is the way I will remember you all,
If you can only remember me with tears,
Then don’t remember me at all.”
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be heldon Sunday, September 25th, 2022 which would have been his 75th birthday.
Place: Dakota Community Centre
1188 Dakota Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2N 3T8
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
The Dakota Community Centre (Dakotacc.com) or
call (204) 254-1010 x211.
32 thoughts on “David George Burgess”
Rest in peace my friend. My deepest sympathies to “J” and the whole family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jeannette and family. We have fond memories of Dave.
you will be missed
your great strong voice and your smile ,your laughter
rest in peace
A cousin of mine. RIP David.
Truly a very sad day
So sad to hear of Dave’s passing Always a gentleman Regards to family
Our heart felt sympathy and condolences to Jeannette, Jennifer, Jodi, Jered, Robyn and families on the passing of David. He will be remembered as the fun loving, out going larger than life personality that befriended everyone who came into his life. David gave generously of his time and his love of community minor sports as a player, coach, official, convened, board members and mentor to many young aspiring athletes over his lifetime. We all have many memories of fun times with David and will hold those memories into eternity.
All our Love 💗
Brother Stephen, Larisa,, Christin, Caitlin, Corey and family.
🖤
Our heart felt sympathy and condolences to Jeannette, Jennifer, Jodi, Jered, Robyn and families on the passing of David. He will be remembered as the fun loving, out going larger than life personality that befriended everyone who came into his life. David gave generously of his time and his love of community minor sports as a player, coach, official, convener, board members and mentor to many young aspiring athletes over his lifetime. We all have many memories of fun times with David and will hold those memories into eternity.
All our Love 💗
Brother Stephen, Larisa,, Christin, Caitlin, Corey and family.
So sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. He was the Manitoba umpire who made the diamond shine. He made the ball field a place where it is important to put the fun first and competition a close second. I have not met a player who didn’t love him and happy as he walked to their sumo d knowing he was a respected umpire ir his skill on the diamond and he was always laughing. I cherish all the time we had as fellow umpires and good friends. I will miss him dearly. He was a friend of the people. Rest In Peace Smokie. My mentor.
My condolences and thoughts with you Jeanette and the family through this difficult time. May the memories and love around you help everyone through. I was blessed to enjoy the music and sing and rock out with Dave at South Beach! Never forget his great fun personality and love of music! Sending prayers and hugs.. Teri-Lynne and family.
Resubmit (other post was under the name Theresa Tonnellier)
I am so saddened to hear about Dave’s passing. He was one of the most popular umpires in Manitoba where he put fun first and competition a close second. The players were always happy as he approached his diamond for the night, knowing they were in for some entertainment as well as good officiating. He was a well deserved member of the slo pitch Hall of Fame and a true ambassador for the sport. Always laughing, always joking around, and always a friend of the people. He will be missed by many people in the Winnipeg slo pitch circle. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends. RIP Smokie. Keep smiling.
Deepest sympathy to the Burgess family. You have lost a very popular sports representative of Manitoba’s sport community. He will be missed by everyone.
Evhan and Sylvia Uzwyshyn
Dave Burgess was one of the most prominent names when my dad was UIC for SPN Manitoba. Dave was a longtime friend of dad’s, and by proxy, a longtime friend of our family. An absolute incredible person, second to none. I’ve no doubt Dave is hanging out in the afterlife with ‘Hunky’ Bill Hanchakove and Adam Mordarski. My deepest condolences to Dave’s entire family, and may he rest in peace.
Dear David Burgess family, we had the pleasure on several occasions to be in Daves company. His smile and welcoming nature was a constant for him. He always had a pleasant word and a joke to bring laughter to the time. We are so sorry to read of his passing . He was a wonderful, kind and loving person that will remain in our thoughts forever. With deepest sympathy, Sincerely, Andrea and David Taylor and family.
Our Condolences to the Burgess Family. The time spent with Dave was memorable and he will be missed. Rest in Peace Dave.
we have known Dave and his family for 38 yrs the family was our next door neighbour . we shared many times together . Dave was a real go getter . we will truly miss him he was real gem and his family was truly awesome Our thoughts and prayers and love are with Jeanette and love at this time of loss love always Robert and penny and family.we will truly miss you more then words will say REST in peace to a wonderful friend and thank you for all times we shared with you and your wonderful family
Our deepest condolences to you J J and your family , Dave was larger than life with his laughter!
My son Taylor, Emily and I feel your loss and pain , RIP Dave , You left great memories!!
Dear Dave it’s hard to believe you’re gone . You are a very special friend and always will be. You had a great sense of humour and everybody enjoyed being around you. You have a wonderful family who will miss you. May you rest in peace take care of my special friend thank you for the wonderful 38 years with much love Robert and penny and family
My condolences to you Jeanette and family, may all the memories you made comfort you now.
Met Dave during Chicken Delight days and great memories camping in Tuelon, Dave was always friendly and the life of the party and always knew the best music to play.
RIP Dave
Anna Gordon
Please accept our deepest condolences. Dave was a friend to all and had a way of lifting spirits with his bubbly personality. He always had a friendly smile and would talk to anyone. Our favorite memory of him is at the girls’ Smitty’s fastpitch tournaments, with clipboard in hand, staying on top of stats and what would happen win or lose, passing all info on to the coaches. You could tell he enjoyed this very much and took pride on the accuracy he relayed. We hold many great memories and good times. He will be sadly missed. May Dave rest in peace.
MY husband Robert and I have known the burgess family for over 38 yrs they were our next door neighbours dave was such a fun loving person had a wonderful attitude and a pleasure to be around we spent a lot of time outside enjoying each other’s company. Dave and his wife Jeanette were a wonderful couple together. we will truly miss him , he was such a caring and awesome person he will be sadly missed . Our thoughts are with Jeanette and family with love and prayers Robert and Penny Siemens and family
A great man that will be missed tremendously.
I had to laugh when I read Bill Julius’s comment above that Dave would talk to anyone. That’s how I remember him from his days playing hockey at Northwood when I was a referee. In fact I was one of the officials when his Northwood team won the midget championship. He certainly liked to talk to referees and question their calls. The last time I saw him was when I ran into him on the softball diamond and discovered that he had become an umpire. From other comments he was a good one with an ability to get along with players and coaches.
We were shocked and saddened by the news of Dave’s passing. He was an interesting man with a vast wealth of stories and always kept us entertained. He gave us and some other work associates the nickname of the Keystone Kids and always made sure that we got together at Christmas to share a dinner and some beverages. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our very sincere condolences to Jeanette and the rest of his family. Keystone Kids Dan & Lorraine Goulet
So sorry to hear the passing of David. He truly was one of the good guys.. I still have fond memories of the Teulon party’s and all those baseball get togethers. Dave was such a great organizer and one of best umpires in the game. He is surely going to be missed but not forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeanette and family. God Bless!!
Jeanette & Family,
We were very sad to learn of Dave’s passing. He was a dear and kind-soul who always did his best to give of himself for the benefit of others. The Dakota Community Centre and the children of our community benefitted from his volunteerism and his commitment to sport and his long service on our Board of Directors. Please accept our sincerest condolences as you celebrate the importance of his life. And thank you for choosing Dakota CC as the beneficiary of his memorial contributions so we can continue to support what was most important to Dave in his life.
Kindest regards,
Michele Augert & the Board & Staff at Dakota CC.
My condolences to Dave’s family. Dave truly was a one of a kind man. I will always remember his smile, his laugh and his
light hearted sense of humor. rest in peace Dave.
Dave was always upbeat and a joy to be around. His great sense of humour and stories he told were always entertaining. I came to know him as a dedicated family man who volunteered much of his time to his local community. He will be sorely missed..
Sending our sincere condolences to Jeanette and family! Always remember his fun personality. RIP Dave!
I grew up and went to elementary school with Dave. We played a lot of sports together over the years and Dave excelled at an early age. I am not surprised that he became heavily involved in his area in thru coaching etc. he will always be fondly remembered for his time as The Chicken Delight chicken.
Sorry to hear about David’s passing. I was the Recreation Coordinator at Norhwood Community Centre in the early 60’s and David was one of the many kids along with his brother Steve who hung out and played all of the different sports we had to offer such as hockey and 6-man football. Not the biggest kid but a shifty fun loving athlete who always had a smile on his face. My condolences to his family.