Jacob Burlet

Our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle Jack rests now in peace at the age of 80 years.

Jack was born at Gardenview, Alberta on the family farm, and led a life dedicated to family, community, and agriculture. He died at Edmonton, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Jack attended the Vermilion School of Agriculture, completing a diploma in agriculture. It was here that he met his wife Alice, and they married in 1961.

Jack and Alice began their family while Jack worked as a field man for the County of Lac Ste Anne, where they would spend nearly 40 years of their life together. In 1970, the family moved to reside on the farm in the Cherhill area, where Jack and his business partner John Romanchuk had developed the enterprise. Whether the hockey team needed a coach, or a neighbor needed a helping hand with chores, Jack was a leader and a truly firm friend to all.

In 1997, Jack and Alice built a new home in Barrhead, and Jack retired from full-time farming. He took the role of supervisor with the local feeders’ association, and quickly deepened and
developed new relationships with that farming community. Roaming the countryside to check cattle brands and catch up on the news of the day and the area filled his days and fed his spirit.

Together, Jack and Alice explored a good portion of the world, engaging in travel as they enjoyed retirement. Jack was never far from a map or a reference book of some sort — always
wanting to understand not only where he was, but where he was going. He took great joy in, and often recalled his travels to Australia, South America and Europe.

Jack was a people person, and family first. Reconnecting with his relatives in Switzerland and Austria in the late 1980’s, Jack and Alice built and have maintained close relationships with a large extended family, many of whom have experienced Canadian Burlet hospitality at the farm, or at the house in Barrhead.

Jack’s faith was deep, strong and quiet–semicolon– his membership in the Catholic parishes at Glenevis, Barrhead and most recently Edmonton were steadfast. His recognition and respect of the
goodness in people of all faiths was a model for all.
In recent years, Jack suffered the weight of the complications of age-related dementia–semicolon– and together he and Alice chose a new home in Edmonton, nearer the support of the kids even
though far from their established community and much-loved rural environment.

Jack faced this challenge as he did every other in his life – together with Alice–semicolon– and with dignity, courage and grace, even when his body ultimately failed his spirit. “…nature deals with us, and takes away our playthings one by one, And by the hand leads us to rest so gently that we go, Scarce knowing if we wish to go or stay, Being too full of sleep to understand how far the unknown Transcends the what we know.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Jack will be ever-missed by his beloved wife Alice–semicolon– his children Luke (Kim), Jake (Jennifer), Matt (Linda), and Teresa (Shane)–semicolon– his grandchildren Joshua, Hannah, Julianne, Jacob, Zack and Jared–semicolon– his brothers Francis and Leonard (Nellie)–semicolon– his sisters Esther (Hank) and Dorothy–semicolon– and his many, many nieces, nephews, extended family in Europe, and friends.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Anna, and his brother Edward (Fran),brother-in-law Larry, and sister-in-law Anne. His family is grateful for the many kindnesses shown Jack and his family. Special thanks to the health care workers of Our Parents Home, Balwin Villa and the Royal Alexandra Hospital–semicolon– the parish team at Mary Help of Christians, and all who assisted in any way. The many visits, well-wishes and prayers were the greatest of gifts and tribute.

A Prayer Service will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 7:00 pm–semicolon– and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:00 pm–semicolon– both at Mary Help
of Christians Chinese Catholic Parish at 10140 119 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta. Memorial tributes may be made to:
University of Alberta Hospital Foundation (John & Mary Sterenberg Fund)–semicolon– University of Alberta Hospital Foundation (John Romanchuk Fund)–semicolon– Stollery Childrens’ Hospital Foundation–semicolon–
or the Charity of the donor’s preference.