Truro, NS
September 24, 2024
Wayne LeRoy Burris, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, respected police officer and loyal friend. After suffering a heart attack, Wayne fought bravely for his family before going home to his Lord and Saviour on September 24, 2024 at the age of 83.
Wayne Burris was honourable, quick witted and loved to tease. He was the consummate storyteller, notable historian, benevolent servant and devoted family man. He will be remembered over the last 20 years for his faith in Jesus Christ and remembered forever for his physical strength, great sense of humour, deep velvet voice and unforgettable laugh.
He was born in Truro, in 1941 to Frederick and Evelyn (Henderson) Burris. He attended Truro Central, Truro Junior High and Truro Academy, and graduated from Maritime Police School in Halifax. Wayne worked with the Truro Police Department serving the community of Truro and even the country of Canada (for a time) with a joint task force. In his youth on the force, he was president of the Nova Scotia Police Association. As a senior officer, he solved cold cases that after 48 years brought closure to surviving family members and honour to fallen officers on Parliament Hill. For 40 years of commitment, Wayne was awarded Police Exemplary Service medals on behalf of the Governor General of Canada. If asked Wayne Burris would say his greatest life achievement was overcoming his childhood on Devil’s Half Acre to steal the heart of the most beautiful girl in Bible Hill.
Wayne married this love of his life, Cynthia May Boyd on Feb 6, 1960, and the love of these "Two Sparrows In A Hurricane" grew. Wayne is survived by his wife, Cynthia Burris, Truro; children, Janice (Dave) Guinan, Bible Hill, James (Karen) Burris, Riverview, New Brunswick; Krista (Barry) Lehtinen, Seadrift, Texas; grandchildren, Tomas (Shannon) Guinan, Alan (Janine) Guinan, Kaitlyn (John) Hardy, Hannah Guinan, Cassie (Lachlan) MacLeod, Cynthia (Jim) Buchanan, Christine (Ben) Best, James (Laura) Burris, Sasha (Dane) Howell, Caleb Wayne Lehtinen (Melani Guzman), and Kidron Lehtinen; great grandchildren, Elijah and Eden Guinan, Lydia and Evelyn Guinan, Emmett, Soren and Renia Hardy, Ivy, Nev and Rian MacLeod, Alexis and Logan Buchanan, Isaac, Zoe, Eli and Oliver Best, Tobias and Phoenix Burris, Wesson Wayne Howell; brother, Brian Burris, Bible Hill; brothers-in-law; Robert (Mary) Boyd, Philip (Judy Church) Boyd, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many long-time friends.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, as well as the VON and Earth Angels for their care and support over the past several weeks.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. The family invites everyone to a Celebration of Wayne’s Life 6-8 pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the Royal Canadian Air Force Club, 22 Cottage Street, Truro.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Wayne’s honour may be made directly to Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, a charity dear to Wayne’s heart.
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