Obituary of Bruce Edward Burton

BURTON, Bruce Edward May 31, 1933 – November 26, 2019 Passed away surrounded by his family at the age of 86. Beloved husband to Ferdinanda Van Gennip, with whom he celebrated 24 years of marriage. Loving father of Peter (Deanna Radford) of Montreal, QC and Elizabeth of Montreal, QC. Predeceased by his first wife, Anne Elizabeth Wyatt, his parents, Mary White and William Burton and his sister-in-law, Waltera Van Gennip. He is survived by his cousins in Ireland, Jim Kiely (Be), Bill White (Josie) and Mary French (Bill) and his brother-in-law in England, John Wyatt (Yvonne), as well as his sisters-in-law Mary Ann McKenzie (Charlie) of Stouffville, ON and Lamberta Baker (Larry) of Barrie, ON. Bruce wishes to thank the Crowell, Briggs and Nelson families, all of whom were especially important in welcoming Bruce and Anne and their children to Windsor upon their arrival in 1966. These ties remained over the years, and Bruce felt immense gratitude for their warm friendship and hospitality. Bruce was born in the district of World's End, Chelsea, London in 1933. He grew up in the Kew area of London until age six, when he was evacuated to Berwick-Upon-Tweed to live with his Aunt Ada and Uncle Bob as World War II began. After the war, Bruce was educated mainly by the Salesian Fathers at boarding schools at Chertsey and Battersea. At the age of 17 he went up to Oxford University, where he read History, graduating in 1954. While there, he was very active in the Oxford Union. A talented debater, he and fellow student Jonathan Boswell travelled to India to represent the Union, spending four months debating at various universities. He also spent a summer as a reporter with the Huddersfield Daily Examiner. In 1957 Bruce obtained an MA in Social Science from the Institute of Social Science (ISS) in The Hague, followed by a teaching stint for the American University of Maryland at the U.S. Embassy in London. From 1961 to 1964, Bruce helped establish the International Relations Program at ISS and taught there from 1964 to 1966. These five years were foundational for Bruce’s career as a political scientist. On one of his visits back to London, Bruce met Anne Wyatt, who was working as an assistant to a BBC producer. He returned often to visit her and she came often to The Hague to visit him. They married in 1964, settling in The Hague. In 1966, Bruce, with Anne and one-year old Peter, migrated to Windsor, Ontario, where he took a position as a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Windsor. Once again, he was charged with establishing an International Relations program. During his tenure at the University, his work took him on research trips to China, Vietnam and Burma. Bruce retired from the University of Windsor in 1998 but continued to be an active member of the university community, serving as thesis advisor to graduate students. Throughout his career and in retirement, Bruce also served as consultant on Asian politics to provincial and federal leaders. In 1993, he met Ferdinanda at Holy Cross Centre for Ecology and Spirituality. They married in 1995. Bruce and Ferdinanda were both passionate about environmental and social justice issues and facilitated workshops on these topics. Spending time on the Ganatcho Trail, at the Ojibway Nature Centre or in Point Pelee National Park was one of their favourite activities, especially as Bruce had been an avid birder since childhood. As well, they shared a love of Europe, where they enjoyed visiting each other's relatives and friends, in Ireland, Scotland, England, France and the Netherlands. Bruce was a devout Roman Catholic throughout his life and believed strongly in the importance of ecumenism, interfaith dialogue and ecological engagement. A kind and gentle man, Bruce was a wonderful son, husband, father, friend and colleague. His life was a blessing and he will be greatly missed. Visitation at WINDSOR CHAPEL (North Chapel,) 1700 Tecumseh Rd. E., 519-253-7234, on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 3 to 5 pm and 6 to 8 pm (prayers and sharing by guests from 4 to 4:30 pm). Visitation will continue on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at THE HOLY NAME OF MARY CHURCH (the McEwan campus of Assumption parish), 681 McEwan Ave., at 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. which will be celebrated by Father Maurice Restivo. Burial to follow at HEAVENLY REST CEMETERY, 5005 Howard Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Ignatius Jesuit Centre (The Old Growth Forest Project,) 5420 Hwy 6 N, Guelph ON N1H 6J2, 519-824-1250 (Charitable Registration No. 118966373 RR 001), Marie Rose Place (please direct your donation to "Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary"), or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com