It is with profound sadness and shattered hearts that the Burchell family announces the sudden passing of Alan "Henny" Burchell, 75, on February 13, 2025. Henny was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and cherished friend to so many.

He was born September 11, 1949 in North Sydney, Cape Breton, NS to the late Cyril and Alvena (Landry) Burchell. As one of 10 children, he had many siblings to love and learn from. At the age of 18, he ventured to Toronto where he experienced life to the fullest! After finding the love of his life, Sue, they moved to Fort McMurray, AB full time in 1979. They settled into the city beautifully, made many great friends and memories and went on to welcome, love and raise their daughter Lindsay, son Cody and eventually 6 grandkids in Fort McMurray: the place they all still call home today.

Henny worked for Byers Transport for over 32 years before retiring in 2010. In those 32 years of delivering freight, he made many meaningful connections with countless people in the community. He was a friendly, familiar face for most people in town, and had the remarkable ability to brighten someone's day just by running into them. He enjoyed these connections so much that he decided to start his own delivery service "Henny B's Pickup & Delivery Ltd." and was able to extend the career that he was so perfect for.

Henny will be deeply missed by his partner/wife of 46 years Susan "Sue" Burchell (Turner), their children Lindsay (Marcel) Petipas, Cody (Kayla) Burchell, and his cherished grandchildren Halla, Maren and Shepherd Petipas, Brixton, Laiken and Milo Burchell. Henny's greatest joys in life were his children and grandchildren. He loved to be surrounded by them all for family meals and firepit gatherings. "Poppy" loved each one of them unconditionally and had their names proudly tattooed on his arms.

He will be remembered by his beloved siblings Alvena "Sis" (the late Ray) Poole in Halifax, Cyril (Anne) Burchell in Mississauga, Joanie (Jimmy) Prince in Halifax, Theresa (Joe "Jinx") Lynk in Fort McMurray, Peter (Gena) Burchell in Calgary, Laura (the late Blair) Roberts in Calgary, sister-in-law Joanne (late Ray) Burchell in Cape Breton, as well as a very long list of nieces and nephews that he always spoke so fondly of. Besides his loving parents, Henny was predeceased by his sisters Carol and Yvonne as well as his youngest brother Ray.

Henny had a great love for all sports. You could always find him watching hockey, baseball, football or golf. He was a die hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan right til the end! He never gave up hope that they would win the cup one more time in his lifetime. He loved the sport of baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays were near and dear to his heart. In his younger years he spent a lot of time playing baseball on local teams and later on found a passion for playing golf. The people he met playing his favorite sports would become his lifelong friends.

Henny had a way of effortlessly making a place his "home away from home". He and Sue enjoyed many summers at their Willow Lake camping spot and 5 winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Wherever he went, he would make a circle of new friends, choose his own favorite spot to sit in and know where to go fo find the best music and the best homemade food around. He would become well-known and loved by the local residents, and as Keith always said "The Man, the Myth, the Legend"

Henny Burchell truly was one of a kind. He will never be forgotten, but forever remembered and sorely missed by all those that were lucky enough to know him. The memories of his quick wit, clever jokes and made-up songs will make us smile for years to come. He had the unique ability to give a perfectly fitting nickname to every friend he made and those nicknames will stay with us all. Henny was a friend to everyone he met, wore his heart on his sleeve, and was always there for a friend in need. His legacy will live on forever through the many stories he shared and the precious memories made with all those who knew him.

We will be holding a Celebration of Life for Henny on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, 3 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in Waterways: a place he loved to go for many special occasions and weekly breakfast gatherings with great friends. Please join us for an evening of remembering, laughter and love.

"...as sure as the sunrise,

As sure as the sea,

As sure as the wind in the trees,

We rise again

in the faces of our children..."