On Sunday, December 23, 2018, Eugene Burda, of Newmarket, at the age of 62 years. Loving father of Allison and Sarah. Proud grandfather of Teddy. Dear brother of Valentina and Matthew Brearton.
He was a pillar of the community known best for his 20+ years as a music teacher, his work with Community Living Newmarket, and as a piano accompanist to the local seniors choir. His immense talent on the piano and offbeat sense of humour will be missed by many.
The family will receive their friends at Yorkminster Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street, Toronto on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 from noon until time of memorial service at one o’clock.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Community Living, 195 Harry Walker Parkway North, Newmarket L3Y 7B3.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Keith Profit
Allison and Sarah. I am so sorry about your dad’s passing. I never had the joy of having a brother until I met him. The last 14 years has been remarkable working and spending time together. I shall never forget his parting words so often when we finished a phone conversation and hearing him say “Love ya, brother” The feeling was definitely mutual.
Lea Nagelberg
Maxel and Val i’m very sorry for u both!! you have my sincere condolences!! i’ll see u both at the memorial service!! Love Lea
Donna Hacker
So sorry for your loss!
philip orr
To all the family I feel your loss and miss a good friend
Jill Kellie
Dear Allison and Sarah, your Dad talked about you all the time. He was so proud of you and loved you so much.
We had the pleasure of his friendship and my son’s love of music is because of the many hours he spent creating with your Dad.
I last saw your Dad in the fall, he was so happy and excited, said he was starting a new venture in Wawa!
Our family has very fond memories of Eugene and we will be sure to raise a toast to him.
I hope you find some comfort in hearing from his friends. Please accept our sincerest, deepest condolences.
Patrick Monks
Dear Allison and Sarah,
Your dad brought much joy to those whose lives he touched. He introduced me to outdoor fires and singalongs. I will always remember his positivity, creativity and his encouragement of others in any musical endeavour. He spoke about you both and was so proud of each of you.
Ann and I have each of you in our thoughts
Pat
Blair Hammond
Sincere condolences for your loss. We will all miss his music, humour and smile. May light perpetual shine upon him. The Keynotes choir
Blair Hammond
Jean Edwards
Sincere condolences to all. I am a member of the “Keynotes” choir and was always in awe of Eugene’s musical abilities and of his sense of humour. What a great loss!
Hellen Mills
Dearest Val and Family
Our deepest condolences.
May he rest in peace.
Pete and Hellen Mills.
Bev and Rick Bonnici
My deepest Condolence to Eugene’s family.
Eugene was to us a caring, loving, extremely talented man, who loved to tease and bring laughter to those
of us who knew him.
His music brought so much joy to those of us who were blessed to hear it.
He was our friend and we just loved this great guy,.
He enjoyed sharing the photos of his Grandson and was so proud to be a Grandpa. He loved his family very much.
I also found Eugene to be very kind to those less fortunate and he was so wonderful to Seniors.
He will be greatly missed .
Paul & Julia Williams
Allison, Sarah, Val.
Very saddened to hear of your loss. He will forever have a special place in my heart, a truly remarkable person , thoughtful, generous and caring.
Our thoughts are with you.
Karen Mokry
And now you can play amazing music with GG (Glenn Gould) forever!
So sad to hear, my condolences.
Dawn Claxton
Dear Allison and Sarah,
My heart breaks for the loss of your dad. I met “Mr. B” way back when you girls first arrived at Stuart Scott P.S. He bounced in one lunch hour and offered up his skill to accompany the Singabration Choir. Your dad became my hero that day! Even after you had both moved on to high school, dad continued playing for the Choir. He even followed me to Sharon P.S. and accompanied my choir there for several years. Everyone loved him to bits. He will be deeply missed!
Sending you both my deepest condolences and love.
Kyle Copeland
A compassionate man, a gifted mentor, a lover of animals and a dear friend.
A light has been extinguished from the world and we are all made poorer by its loss.
Carole-Anne Armstrong
My sincere condolences. I remember Eugene from high school days and was in awe of him because even way back then, he could play anything on the piano. And, he was a great guy – friendly, positive and a good sense of humour. Sad to hear of this news. May his memories bring you comfort and keep him alive in your hearts forever.
Greg Alsop
Eugene was my first real music teacher. I had weekly lessons with him from age 9 – 13, when he and his family moved to London, and that whole time they were a huge part of my life. Beyond just learning piano, he taught me to be creative and to be confident in myself in making art. The first songs I ever wrote were because he pushed me to just make them – he even recorded them. He was always game for whatever I wanted to do with our time together – even if it was figuring out how to play “Gangster’s Paradise”. Nothing was ever “straying too far from what a piano lesson should be”. It was all equal in his eyes as long as were making music.
He was an amazing teacher and mentor and I really am sad he’s gone. My condolences to his family and everyone else who knew him.
John & Mary Bevan
Allison and Sarah. We are so sorry to hear about you dad’s passing. We have such great memories of our time together in London. Hopefully your memories will get you through this difficult time. We’re thinking of you.
Catherine Mckechnie
Dear Allison, Sarah and Val,
I am so sorry for your great loss.
He was my very dear friend and I miss him terribly.
December 23, 2018, the day the music died.
Heather Farrell
Allison and Sarah,
I’m so sorry to hear about your tremendous loss. I have some wonderful memories of your dad that I’ve been revisiting since I heard the news of his passing. I hope your own wonderful memories and the love of your family and friends will help carry you through this difficult time.
Jane
Goodbye my beautiful friend, I’ll miss you always.
Mary Minialoff
Val, Allison and Sarah
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad and brother. Being your lifelong neighbors across the street in memories of your mom and dad flowed across our minds. Eugene was my first piano teacher and I enjoyed the time we spent together. My prayers and condolences go out to your family on this tremendous loss may God keep you and hold you in the palm of his hand and may his love surround you at this time again we are saddened in heartbroken for you
The Minialoff family xo
Glen & Manila Goncalves
Allison and Sarah, we are so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. We had the pleasure and honor to meet your dad when he used to come to our gym in Newmarket. He always came with such energy and always brought happiness to the gym and everyone around him. We are sure he is playing beautiful music… A truly remarkable person.
Edward Pasion
Dear Allison and Sarah. I’m so sorry to hear of Eugene’s passing. I was his neighbour for the last 5 years and was excited to hear of his upcoming adventure in Wawa.
Condolences to your family.
Dave Anderson
Dear Allison and Sarah I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing I had great memories with Eugene
When he was working with community living in Newmarket sending my condolences we will all miss him
Eric Drewes
To Eugene’s family and friends,
I am heartbroken today, having just learned of Eugene’s passing several years ago. He was my music teacher from age 13-16; having first been my sister’s piano teacher, he actually encouraged me to first pick up the electric bass. I still play to this day.
Much like someone else mentioned earlier, he also encouraged me to create my own music, and even hosted my friends and I to make some simple recordings. Looking back with an adult’s gaze, this was truly remarkable and generous of him.
Such a cool guy, unforgettable, and inspiring.
Eric Drewes
Peggy Lund
Hi Allison and Sarah
It’s been so long since your dad’s passing and I still think of him. We met at Stuart Scott P S and I later worked with him at Community Living. Such a wonderful man. You were lucky to have him as your dad.
Peggy Lund