PICTOU – Lawrence (Laurie) William Burbidge, passed away on March 29, 2010 at the Northumberland Veterans Wing, Pictou, NS, at the age of 85.
Born in Windsor, NS, he was the son of the late Thomas and Grace (Cleveland) Burbidge.
A veteran of World War II he served in Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Laurie's lifelong passion was playing hockey. In 1941-42 he played for Windsor Academy and was named MVP after scoring the goal that won them the NS Provincial Intermediate Championship. During his army service in the Netherlands he played with the army all-stars against the 5th Division and scored two goals on the great Maple Leaf goalie Turk Broda, his proudest hockey moment. After the war, Laurie returned to Windsor and played for the Red Devils and the Maple Leafs. In 1951 Laurie moved to Pictou with his wife Alice and daughter Margaret where he continued his hockey career with the Maripacs. Laurie was a pipefitter by trade and travelled across Canada and the United States to job sites. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Overseas Club.
Laurie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alice (Sharpe); daughters, Margaret Salter (Wayne), Lower Sackville; Judi, Pictou; and son Thom, Charlottetown; grandsons: Mark Salter (Sharlene) and Steven Salter (Nicole), Lower Sackville, Leon Cumming, Debert; and granddaughter, Trina MacLeod, Kempt; and great-grandchildren: Katelyn, Terren, Amber, Blake and Henry; brother, Richard and Connie Barker, Windsor.
He was predeceased by brothers, Jim and Harold; sisters: Eva, Dorothy, Irene and Jean.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place at McLaren's Funeral Home, Pictou, Thursday, April 1 from 2-4 p.m. with reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Pictou.
Family flowers only. Donations in Laurie's memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Lung Association.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16 will meet at the funeral home at 1:45 p.m. Thursday to conduct their service.
Online condolences may be sent to mclaren@ns.sympatico.ca