In Memory of Robert (Bob) Burns
Peacefully, at the age of 93, from natural causes, the family of Robert (Bob) Burns tearfully said goodbye to this gentle soul on December 13, 2025.
He has left us to join his much missed loved ones, particularly his beloved wife, Helen Edwards (2012), daughter Bonnie Jean (1979), and parents Martin Burns (1976) & Jessie McFadden (1979).
Left to mourn are children Laurie (Perry Watson), Bruce (Corinne Ramey), Wally (Debra Hidlebaugh and the late Karen Findlay (2010)), Donna (Jeff Daw), and Allan (Stephanie Barnett). He will be missed by sister Lorna (Charles Glennie), his companion Eileen McFadden Vaillancourt and her family, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends near and far.
Bob loved his grandchildren and followed their lives with pride. Dale (Kyla Levesque) and Julia (Justin Comartin) Watson; Jessica (Brayden Polson), Rebecca, and Keith (Sarah Graham) Burns; Levi (Stuart Hamre) and Mackenzie (Jay Lavergne) Burns; Jeffs son Jordan (Kimberly Bode-Ferguson) Daw; Debra’s daughters Kathleen (Travis Getson) and Jennifer Powell.
The arrival of great-grandchildren Finley and Jack Polson; Abigail and Edward Watson; Charlie and Cameron Lavergne; Beckett and Emmett Getson; and the announcement of a new one on the way in the new year (Keith & Sarah), was of immense pleasure to him. They will all grow up to learn what a fine man their great-grandfather, “Grandpa Bob,” was.
Bob spent his life in Navan, raising his family on his Vannaview Holsteins dairy farm. He played goalie in his youth in surrounding communities, took up curling and remote control airplane flying in his retirement. Bob was very involved as a builder of the community, receiving recognition from the City of Ottawa and the village of Navan for his volunteer work with Cumberland Township Agricultural Society, Navan–Vars United Church, and regional and provincial agricultural society organizations. His last role with the Navan Fair was organizing the Parade, which he did with his usual wit and patience.
Nothing made Bob happier than when family and friends gathered to enjoy a meal and tell stories. There was always room for one more at his large table.
Friends and family may call at Heritage Funeral Home, 1250 Trim Road, on Friday, January 9, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral will be at Navan-Vars United Church, 1129 Smith Road, Navan on Saturday January 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served at St Mary’s Hall, 1171 Smith Road, Navan, following the funeral.
Spring Inurnment will be at Dale’s Cemetery, Cumberland.
Anyone wishing to make donations in Bob’s name to the Navan-Vars United Church or to the TOH Bearbrook Transitional Unit would be gratefully appreciated by the family.
Deepest sympathies to the Burns families .
A great community man .
Frank & Andree McNeely & family
Olds AB
Our deepest sympathies to the family.
My sincere condolences to the Burns family
Bob was renowned for his freshly baked bread and other treats at church events. He will be remembered for his genuine love for the community of Navan and for the warmth he greeted those he knew. Our sincere sympathy to the Burns family.
“The guy with the mill always had a shovel and a level. The mill had to be level.” I enjoyed talking with Mr. Burns and asking questions about days gone by. His memory was so sharp, and his delivery so common sense and specific. We raised our children in Navan. A community he worked hard to help build. We are forever in his debt. Rest well in peace Mr. Burns.
My deepest condolences to the Burns families and friends. Bob was a champion for his community and a very jolly fellow, always smiling. He will be missed.
Navan will not be the same without you Bob!!
My condolences to the entire family and all his dear friends.
To all of Bobs family and those who mourn his passing, please accept our deepest sympathy. Bob’s was a life well lived. Family and friends, church, community. He knew what was important in life. Visiting with him was a pleasure due to his depth of knowledge of and interest in the history of our community.
Rest in Peace Bob.
Dear Burns Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
I was a pleasure to curl with Bob for over 25 years.
Don & Pat Lawlor
My deepest condolences to the Burns family.
Bob was a great community man.
He was also a great neighbour.
To the family of Bob
Sincere condolences to you all during this time of loss. Remember the good times .. Bob will be missed at Navan Fair and in the community .
Sincerely
Mary Jackson (the late George Jackson)
Sandy jackson and family
Reg and myself (Marg) send our deepest sympathy to the entire Burns family and the community of Navan. Bob always had a smile on his face and could not wait to tell you a story. His knowledge of the history of the area was amazing. He’s at peace now and telling stories to all our friends that have been waiting for him in heaven. God bless you all.
To the Burns Family:. My deepest sympathy to all of you on your loss of Bob.. He was such a caring person and a great brother-in-law to me..
I wish I could be with you in Jan but it is a long trip from Stratford, On in the winter time.. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you .
Rest in Peace Bob.
Sally
Dear Laurie and extended Burns family. I was saddened to hear of Bob’s recent passing. He was such a wonderful, gentle and kind man who made everyone feel special. May all your wonderful memories become treasures as time passes. In sympathy and friendship, Diane Pieters
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolances.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Burns family. He was a lovely
Man, always smiling
DEAR AL
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES A FATHER IS A SPECIAL PERSON AND WHEN HE PASSES IT LEAVES A BIG VOID HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED . . PLEASE PASS ON MY SYMPATHIES TO YOUR FAMILY .
So sorry for your loss. Sending you all hugs and wishing you treasured memories.
Xo
The Champagnes
Dear Laurie and extended family
Your dad, Bob, was a man full of stories and memories and his love of living.
The Wall and Burns farms shared a fence line and it is still there today.
A wonderful man for family and community has earned his wings.
Blessing to you all.
So sorry for your loss. He was a gentle soul. I know your family and Eileen will miss him dearly.
Sincerely,
Connie and Lawrence Moore
Our deepest sympathy.
His welcoming smile will be in our hearts.
Our deepest condolences to the Burns Family at the loss of a wonderful man who filled many rolls of father grand =great grand and great.great grand father. and a wonderful companion. A friend to many and a community man who will be missed every day.
Sincerely Dwayne and Laura Acres.
My condolences to all family and friends. Bob has a special place in my heart – he would always come to say hello whenever we would be in the same place, and I looked for him too. He was ever ready to share a hug and a laugh and a story or two. How welcoming he was, and how kind, gentle and funny. And how much he and Helen contributed to the community of Navan. His life made a lot of other people’s lives better. A wonderful legacy.
Our sincere condolences to the Burns family. May the memories of his life well lived bring peace to your grieving hearts.
Our sympathies for the Burns family. We never had an opportunity to meet Robert but the stories Donna related, and others who had met him, describe someone who was a joy to have in their lives.
Our sincere condolences to the Burns family
To the Burns family,
My deepest condolences for the loss of Bob. He was such a bright light in this village. I will miss hearing his greeting in his big booming voice, “Hello Jackie. How are you?””
Rest in Peace , Bob.