It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Clifford Glen Burrows on July 17, 2026, just days after celebrating his 84th birthday. Cliff passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. He grew up and spent his whole life on his family’s land on East Saanich Road in Sidney, British Columbia.
To know Cliff was to know kindness. Deeply humble, playful, gentle and quietly easy-going by nature, Cliff had an infectious smile that put people instantly at ease. He was generous to a fault, always ready to lend a hand, solve a problem, or quietly help someone without expecting anything in return. He had a gift for making people feel good, whether with a simple “Good for you,” his familiar “I like it,” a thoughtful check-in, or a knock at the door with tomatoes or dahlias from the garden—small gestures, perhaps, but they meant the world to the people who received them.
Professionally, Cliff was a mechanical draftsman whose skill, precision and innovative thinking earned him enormous respect throughout his long career. After beginning at Pacific Kenworth, he spent many years at Butler Brothers, where he worked alongside his dear friend and mentor, Claude Butler, before finishing his career with Gordie Alberg at United Engineering. Although trained as a draftsman, he was widely respected for doing the work of an engineer, designing heavy equipment, including cement mixers and, at the time, the largest logging truck in the world. He belonged to a generation of true craftsmen. His hand-drawn plans were renowned for their precision, often completed without a single redraw, and even after retirement he was frequently called back to solve the problems others couldn’t. More important to Cliff than the work itself were the lifelong friendships he made along the way, many of whom visited him in the hospital during his final days, a quiet testament to the respect and affection he inspired throughout his life.
For all he accomplished throughout his career, Cliff’s heart was always at home. He designed and helped build the family home, which he cherished, and loved tending the gardens along Burrows Lane. His greatest pride, however, was never found in his work or his home, but in his family. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, and nothing made him happier than simply being together.
He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Heather (née Morley). They were born just hours apart, met twenty years later, and shared the rest of their lives together. He never stopped looking at her as though she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Cliff leaves behind a family who adores him including his son, Rob Burrows; his daughter, Laura Harris (née Burrows) and partner, Pete Ells; his treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren; his sister, Joan (Bonnie) McKenzie, and her husband, John; his extended family; and many dear friends.
The Burrows family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Francis Devine for his exceptional kindness and devoted care, and to the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital for the support they provided.
A celebration of Cliff’s life will be held in the Sequoia Center at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria BC, on August 14th at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Cliff’s memory may be made to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation or Diabetes Canada.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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