William Asquith Burgher

Peacefully to be with his Lord, at the Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, on Monday, February 3rd, 2025, Bill Burgher, at 98 years of age. Beloved husband of the late Isobel Burgher (nee Peters), and the late Gwen Burgher, formerly Bickle (nee Budd). Loving father of Susan Gravelle (the late Robert), formerly Weston (Graeme), John Burgher (Jeanette), Bonnie Barteaux (Bruce), and step-father to Ray Bickle (Deborah), the late Roger Bickle (Debbie), Marion Roberts (Barry), and Mark Bickle (Cindy). Cherished grandfather [and great grandfather] to Jonathan Barteaux, Stephanie LeBlanc (nee Barteaux) (Curtis); Joel Burgher (Chelsea), Daniel Burgher (Olivia), Claire Rowell (nee Burgher) (Daniel), [Evangeline]; Ryan Bickle (Linda), Carter Bickle, Shawn Bickle (Kerri), Keaton Bickle, Reese Bickle; Adam Bickle (Lee Anne), [Brock], Chad Bickle (Helene), [Simona], Bradley Bickle, Derek Bickle (Christine), [Luke, Brody, Cash, Journey], the late Erin Bickle; Melissa Jurik (Ruben), [Camille, Graydon], Nadine Hustler (John), [Andrew], Matthew Roberts (Sara), [Ezra, Ethan, Landon, Mila]; Holly Spencer (Andrew), [Smith, Blake, Carter], Elyse Szwakob (Matthew), [Lane, Drew, Jordan], Tyler Bickle.
Predeceased by his parents, Albert and Bessie (nee Lightfoot) Burgher, and his sister Jean Calkin (the late Arthur). Survived by his sister Ruth Lloyd (the late Frederick), and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Canning, Nova Scotia, in 1926, Bill remained a proud Bluenoser all his life, even while living in Ontario for 74 years. In his younger years, he worked in the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, being involved with many aspects of the growing, processing and storage of apples.
In 1951, following an ambition to seek his way in the world, he moved to Kingston, Ontario, where he found employment in various industries, ultimately settling at DuPont Nylon plant, where he was a shift-worker for 35 years.
A dinner invitation to the home of a friend from Nova Scotia, then living in Belleville, brought about an introduction to a newly-graduated nurse named Isobel, working at Belleville General Hospital. This chance meeting sparked a romance. They married on the 24th of May, 1952, and lived happily together for over 36 years in Kingston, where they raised their three children.
A large focus of Bill’s life and that of his family was their involvement with Bethel Church, and The Christian Youth Centre. Bill became a founding member of the Board of Directors of Camp IAWAH, and he was also a longtime board member at Bethel Church.
Throughout his life, Bill’s many friends enjoyed his wit and humour, particularly the way he could captivate an audience, maintaining a straight face while his audience was falling to pieces with laughter!
He took early retirement from DuPont in 1987, in order to spend more time with Isobel. That year, they fulfilled Isobel’s life-long dream of visiting Hawaii. In 1988, his beloved Isobel passed away, leaving an enormous hole in Bill’s heart.
During the next four years, the wonderful families of Bethel Church rallied around him. He had a dinner invitation at least 5 nights a week, every week. Responding in kind, Bill found a way to repay their generosity by doing odd jobs for them: painting houses, cleaning out attics and garages, putting up and taking down storm windows.
In 1992, during a week of volunteer work at Fair Havens Bible Conference, he made the acquaintance of another volunteer who worked in the tuck shop, a widow named Gwen. They enjoyed each other’s company during that week, and Bill found reasons to volunteer additional times over the coming weeks. Later that summer, his children were pleased to learn that their father planned to re-marry. Bill and Gwen were wed on the 12th of September, 1992. Bill gained three more sons and a daughter, and many grandchildren. Bill and Gwen settled in Kingston for the next 11 years, enjoying travel to various parts of the United States, and across Canada, from Atlantic to Pacific.
In 2003, they relocated to Cobourg, where they enjoyed the fellowship of Cobourg Alliance Church, and continued to travel. In 2010, they moved into Rosewood Estates, where they embraced becoming part of a close-knit retirement community.
In 2019, Bill became a widower once more, following the death of his darling Gwen. The Rosewood community, and visits from family and long-time friends helped to fill the void in Bill’s lonely heart. Later that year, Bill made one more trip to his beloved Nova Scotia, where he visited his youngest daughter, his two sisters, and many nieces and nephews, and attended a family wedding.
As time went by, Bill accepted that he would spend the remainder of his years alone. But he was not alone. He had made so many wonderful friendships at Rosewood. Everyone enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour. Rosewood became his Community, and he became its Elder Statesman.
On February 3rd, 2025, after a year of declining health, Bill went home to be with his Saviour. His many family members and friends will always cherish treasured memories of Bill.

Private Burial at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Glenburnie (Kingston). A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Bill’s family would like to thank the staff of Rosewood Estates in Cobourg, the doctors and nurses of Northumberland Hills Hospital, and the PSWs of ParaMed for their care and support. Those wishing to do so may make a memorial donation to:
- Camp IAWAH Home - iawah
- Bethel Church (Kingston) Bethel Kingston – Loving God passionately, serving others significantly
- Cobourg Alliance Church Home | Cobourg Alliance Church , or
- Samaritan's Purse Canada - International Relief