Comox Valley Echo Collection at the CDM
Local heritage lost an invaluable resource person with the recent passing of Lawrence Burns.
Mr. Burns, the former chair of the Courtenay Heritage Advisory Commission, was awarded Heritage BC’s Award of Recognition in the Distinguished Service category for his commitment to heritage conservation in 2020.
Local historian Judy Hagen summed it up in 2020 when she wrote: “Living all his life in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, Lawrence Burns, now aged 90-plus years, still has a great love and passion for local history. His years as a volunteer for the City of Courtenay Fire Department, and later as Fire Chief, ensured Lawrence was always front and centre in every major event in the life of the city. This makes him a living encyclopedia able to provide ‘chapter and verse’ to confirm city history. When he joined the Heritage Commission and later became chairman, he always had a story to add to the conversation. Without him the heritage of the Comox Valley would not be told so completely.”
No tribute to Lawrence Burns would be complete without emphasizing his 45 years with the Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department. He rose through the ranks to serve as chief of the department from January 1, 1969, until his retirement in 1995.
Top image appeared in the Comox Valley Echo July 7, 1995 edition with the following caption:
“HAIL TO THE CHIEF
Retiring Courtenay Fire Chief Lawrence Burns, accompanied by Deputy Chief Peter Hyrko, is saluted by Valley firefighters July 1 at Lewis Park. Burns, who has spent 45 years with the Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department, received the city’s highest accolade at the July 1 festivities, when Mayor Ron Webber named him a Freeman of the City. It was an emotional moment for Burns. Although he officially retired June 30, Burns worked during the holiday weekend to ease the transition period for new chief Terry Towle.”
