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Peter Burnett

Image by Nick Andréka

PETER ALEXANDER BURNETT

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Peter Alexander Burnett passed away on March 17, 2023. Peter was born on January 13, 1945 to Chrissie and Dave Burnett in Milton, New Zealand. Peter was a larger-than-life character whose positivity was contagious. 

 

Peter was trained as an entomologist at the University of Manitoba where he met his lifelong partner, Alison.  Peter worked in grain improvement research at research centres in New Zealand, USA, Mexico, Lacombe (AB), Lethbridge (AB) and finally ending his working career in Winnipeg as Director of the Grain Research Laboratory with the Canadian Grain Commission. In retirement, Peter volunteered as a board member for Friends Housing, which provides housing for people with a chronic mental illness to live independently in the community.

 

Peter was predeceased by his sister Janice Summers; brother Doug Burnett; and son Ben. He is survived by his wife Alison (née Benningen); daughter Anne; son Sam; daughter-in-law Maureen; grand-daughters Miriam, Penny, and Willa; brother David Burnett in Australia; as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and cousins in New Zealand.

 

Peter loved reading, fishing, enjoying art and travelling. Because of his career he was able to travel all around the world to countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and Oceania. At 67 he saw the Taj Mahal and expressed how wonderful it was to be inspired even at his age.

 

Peter loved to spend time with people and enjoyed drinks with his mates. He was infamous for his story telling and if questioned about the details of the story he would say, “never ruin a good story with the truth”.

 

Peter’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends Housing.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

Please share a story, photo, memory or condolence for the family by completing the form below and clicking "Post Comment"

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Greg Allen - Maple Ridge, BC

May 30, 2023 at 10:15 AM

Thinking of you Alison......my memories of the two of you opening your home to me when I was travelling through New Zealand back in the early 80's are nothing short of amazing. You were well into your first pregnancy when Peter decided it'd be a good idea for you and me to jump in your car and drive around the island for a few days....and you agreed without hesitation! I think I was more nervous than you, thinking "what if the baby decides to show up"!! The hospitality you both extended to me is still very fresh in my mind, even after all these years.....Peter was a wonderful man!! I feel very fortunate having the opportunity to know you both. Be well.........Greg Allen
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Mick Calder

May 28, 2023 at 4:58 AM

Alison and family Peter (sometimes known as Black Pete after some pirate) was one of those larger than life characters at LincolnCollege. He was a serious guy who also saw the sublime and ridiculous sides of life. He will be sadly missed. Please accept my condolences. Mick Calder Wellington, NZ
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John Chetwin

May 27, 2023 at 2:41 AM

To Alison and family, I overlapped with Peter at Lincoln College (now University) in New Zealand where he did his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He was one of the great characters who managed to achieve an excellent balance between work and play - and did so for the rest of his life I believe. With a mutual friend, John Morris (also sadly lost this year), we had occasional phone conversations from strange parts of the world.  A big man who will leave a big gap. My condolences and regards. John Chetwin Kakanui, New Zealand 
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Malcolm Flett

May 20, 2023 at 4:11 AM

To Alison and Family  I am saddened to read today Peters Death notice in the Otago Daily Times . I have lived all my life on our Tokoiti family farm right beside the Burnett Farm  on which  Peter and his siblings were raised . The Burnetts were wonderfull neighbours and  I hold our association fondly.  It is a shame that Peter won`t be back down our little farming valley but I will hold his memory dear and be thankfull for the positive effect he had on my life My condolensces and kind regards  Malcolm Flett; Taratafarm Milton NZ 
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Antonia Vujeva

May 2, 2023 at 7:51 PM

To dear Anne and family, I had the pleasure of meeting Peter when he visited Newcastle with Alison to spend time with his beautiful daughter Anne. I worked with Anne at The University of Newcastle and feel so grateful to have had a friendship with her over the years. Meeting her parents was such a joy as I got to tell them what a wonderful daughter they had raised and how proud they must have been of her and all her accomplishments. I was so saddened to hear of the loss of her father today. Sending all my love and biggest of hugs to you all and especially my dear friend Anne. xo
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Wendy and Rick Valley

April 30, 2023 at 7:58 PM

We are shocked to learn that Peter has sadly left all of us. This picture totally captures Peter as we knew & know him. How fortunate our family is to have shared time with Peter, Alison and kids Ben, Sam, and Anne...particularly in Waterton! In reading the MULTITUDES OF STORIES ...talk about a life WELL LIVED!!! These are tales to be cherished!  Peter was proud of his eccentric & unpredictable "wild" eyebrows.  He said that people could tell if he was angry because the one eyebrow that usually curled upwards would point down and the other eyebrow that pointed down would  reverse direction and point to the sky! Peter was in Waterton helping Sam get settled into his new summer job...then came over to our cabin on  to watch the METEOR SHOWER! We all built a fire in the pit,  found some rickety lawn chairs, then laid back to watch the show! We were absolutely amazed at all the goings on with the spectacular Universe! Little did we know that our amazing Peter would become another twinkling star in the sky...far too soon. 
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Rebecca Burnett

April 25, 2023 at 6:49 AM

I first met Peter when he came to Sydney not long after I had met Gus and Burn. We all went out to a Nepalese restaurant and had a terrific night.  A little later Gus and I got married and Alison and Peter both made the trek across the world to celebrate our special day with us. My family still remembers the lovely Candian’s fondly from that day.  I was lucky enough to spend time with you over a handful of Australian summers since then and I was always struck by Peter’s kindness and appreciation for family and life. He was a loving man who enjoyed having fun and good conversation. Rest in Peace uncle Peter. We will think of you often. X
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Laura Cordova

April 20, 2023 at 4:35 PM

Dear Anita, Allison and Sam, I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet Peter when he and Allison travelled to Oz. It kind of made sense what an amazing woman you were Ann, having been brought up by such beautiful parents. Thinking of you and your family in this moment.  Laura
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eveline

April 20, 2023 at 4:02 PM

Dear Allison, Sam & Anne: we are so sorry to hear of Peter's passing. Having visited with you in both New Zealand (E) and Winnipeg we have memories of lovely lamb dinners and sharing of stories, both happy and sad.  I think we even had a few yoga classes together. Our condolences on this profound loss. Sending love and prayers.  Eveline and Gordon and family 
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Irene Heiman

April 19, 2023 at 9:35 AM

Many happy family memories shared at Victoria Beach.  Love, irene heiman
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Larry and Patty Butler

April 18, 2023 at 4:01 PM

Alison and family: Peter was that rare individual who combined humor, warmth, generosity and friendship for, we suspect, the entirely of his life.  He is gone from this earth but not from our hearts. Our deepest condolences.  Larry and Patty Butler
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Danielle Carrière

April 18, 2023 at 10:39 AM

Dear Allison, this a beautiful video of Peter and and the people who loved him dearly. Thankyou for sharing. Wishing you love and strength. ❤️ 
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Brian Walters

April 17, 2023 at 9:23 PM

Alison, I was so shocked and sad to hear of  Peters death I’m remembering the years of hanging out at the U of M pool all those years ago.
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Jonathan Robinson

April 17, 2023 at 11:29 AM

You were a great mate Peter. We had such fun together, at work and when travelling. I will never forget our trip to Yellowstone Park on the last day of the season. The snow was falling and we were stopped by the Highway Patrol for some minor traffic infringement. The two cops were quite entertained by encountering a New Zealander and an Englishman so far from home. We overnighted in Gardiner, where we drank rather a lot. The barman was so impressed that he said we could drink whisky sours on the house. We finished the evening with Peter's famous "Cleansing ale". The next day we staggered around Yellowstone under freezing conditions, joking all the while that we should have brought gloves. Who would have thought that aphids could be the basis of such fun. You are greatly missed Peter. Jonathan (and Sirkka)
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Wendy Barker

April 16, 2023 at 7:51 PM

I worked at the Grain Research Lab while Dr. Burnett was Director. He was truly a hands on manager; we never knew when he would bounce into our lab and want to know how things were going. In addition, he was interested in us personally and thus I got to know that we shared a love of the music of Van Morrison and reading a good mystery. It was a pleasure to see him after I retired at the CGC Retirees' luncheons. It's a shame we were stopped from meeting that way due to the pandemic. My condolences to Alison, Anne and Sam and the rest of the family.
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Rick Butts

April 16, 2023 at 7:19 PM

I am so sorry for your loss Allison, Sam & Anne etc.   I had the privilege of working and travelling across Canada with Peter for many years.  No matter where we stopped, he would always say “You know Rick, I could live here.”  The truth was Peter would have been welcomed wherever he lived and his neighbours would have been the better for it.  My favourite and funniest memory was when Peter was my supervisor for a short time and he fell asleep during my performance appraisal.  I had to admit that was probably the most honest feedback I received in my 35-year working career.  Without a doubt we loved him dearly and we will miss him forever.  Rick & Gail Butts  
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Andy Tekauz

April 16, 2023 at 4:17 PM

Allison and family: so sad to learn of Peter’s passing. He was a long-time colleague, during our mutual lengthy careers in the federal segment of Canada’s grain industry. I and his many other co-workers and friends always looked forward to Peter’s insightful as well as jovial presence at our annual February industry meetings to assess new cereal varieties for western Canada. This was particularly so at the dinners hosted by the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute, where attendees were invited to tell a joke or two, with Peter’s being the most anticipated and invariably the most enjoyed. These and other mutual interactions are memories to be cherished. Andy Tekauz (ex. AAFC Cereal Research Centre, Winnipeg)
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Paul Stefansson

April 16, 2023 at 6:16 AM

Hi  Peter took me to an all night Planet of the Apes drive in movie theater Peter was the only adult who was fun enough to do it. Peter visited us in Singapore and  we went to the Thaipusam Indian festival another wild experience  He was always ready for adventure  Finally Peter was brave enough to become good friends with my mother Sigga Peter will be missed  My thought are with you Sincerely Paul Stefansson
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John O'Donovan

April 15, 2023 at 9:56 PM

Our heartfelt condolences to Allison and family on Peter's passing. He was a great friend, especially back in the 90s when he was at Lacombe and we were in Vegreville. Our families had several neat camping trips together, a few beer were downed and many a story told. He had a great sense of humour and an incredible wit. I could tell many stories but one in particular comes to mind. He was once given the task of minding our somewhat aggressive Irish terrier while I ran in a race. Unfortunately the dog broke away from him and attacked another dog. Peter was unfazed and later informed me that he would put money on that Irish dog of mine. RIP my friend.
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Ivan McMorris

April 15, 2023 at 6:03 PM

Peter was a joy to visit and talk with, he always made me smile and laugh. I will miss him 
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K. Neil Harker

April 15, 2023 at 5:16 PM

Peter was my work supervisor and also my good friend. He mastered the art of balancing work- and leisure-time relationships. He was always fun to be around so I can only imagine how much he will be missed at home. 
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jeannie burnett

April 15, 2023 at 4:35 PM

What a great pictorial memory of a great man . We will miss you “Nunkie”
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Marcy Dubois

April 15, 2023 at 4:08 PM

Dear Allison and family,  We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Peter. Cash, and Roxy and myself have the most loving, fond memories of Peter, the warmth and affection you both  expressed to the kids, treating them like family will always be cherished. We just wanted to express our love and gratitude for having known Peter, he was a very special man.  Sending you love - Marcy, Roxy and Cash 
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Deborah Eagles

April 15, 2023 at 3:46 PM

We remember, especially, our time with you and Peter in Palmerston North, and again, briefly, in Mexico.  We know Peter is greatly missed.  Alison, we will keep you and your family in our thoughts.  Thanks so much for sharing this celebration of Peter's life.  Deb & Howard Eagles and family
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Elaine Andrew

April 15, 2023 at 1:25 PM

Allison - I have so sorry to hear this news, our condolences to you and your family. Holding you close in our thoughts.  Elaine and Keith
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Bev & Blaine McElhaw

April 15, 2023 at 10:03 AM

Peter was a wonderful, kind hearted and brilliant man who was an influential guiding light in our youth. He will leave a mighty void in this world without him in it.  All our love, B&B
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Brian Johnston

April 15, 2023 at 9:47 AM

So sorry to hear this news Alison.  I had a wonderful chat with Peter about his career last September. Glad to have met him the few times I did over the years.  Those brief meetings were memorable.  My thoughts are with you.
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Roger and Jane

April 15, 2023 at 9:04 AM

A wonderful account of Peter’s extraordinarily varied and interesting life. He lived well and taught us to do the same. So much fun in living fully. Blessed to have shared a small part with him. Love to you all.
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Susan Berry

April 15, 2023 at 7:59 AM

Dear Alison and family, so very sorry to hear this sad news. Peter really was a wonderful man full of charm and charisma. Sending you love. Susan Berry
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