We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Sergeant Melvin Carl Burton, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 11 July 2026, at the age of 85 after a long illness.
Mel was born in Rose Blanche, NL and his family moved to North Sydney, NS when he was five. Mel joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1959 with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served a 20-year career as a Firefighter with the Canadian Military Engineers. Mel’s military service took him across Canada, including postings to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu QC, Winnipeg MB, Aylmer and Borden ON and Penhold AB. This was followed by a posting to Europe at Marville, France, and Lahr, Germany. Returning to Canada, Mel was stationed in Rivers MB and Edmonton AB before his final posting at Downsview ON.
Mel retired from the Canadian Forces in 1980 and settled in Burlington, ON. In his second career, Mel was employed by Zurich Insurance Canada for 20 years as a Senior Loss Control Engineer.
Mel’s funeral service will be private with his immediate family. Mel suffered from a rare muscle disease called Sporadic Late-Onset Nemaline Myopathy. Donations in Mel’s memory may be made to support this research or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.