Francis Peter BURLEIGH – Reg #20622 / O.1301

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we say goodbye to Francis PETER Burleigh. He died surrounded by family on the morning of August 6, 2025 at the age of 85. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was larger than life and has left us all with memories to cherish and share.

Peter was born in Edson Alberta and at the age of 18 joined the RCMP. He entered depot in 1958 when horses were still part of training, graduated and was posted to North Vancouver. He spoke often of how he and the horses did not get along (apparently he got bit a lot) and of attending to bar fights before he could legally enter a bar. He retired at the rank of Inspector, i/c Traffic “E” Division, and never stopped pointing out the bad driving habits of all the drivers on the road around him.

Peter is survived by his wife, Natalka, with whom he shared all of his life’s adventures and his 3 children; Deanne Burleigh (husband Brad Arkles, children Alexa and Natasha and stepchildren Keilann and Taylor); Bridget Odland (husband Brent, children Emma, Adelle and Tyler) and Peter Burleigh (wife Debrah, children, Amanda, Kris, Micheal and Sarah). He is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren (Starr, Paisley, Myah, Mason, Abigail, Simeon, Taliah and Emeth), his brother Kerry Burleigh (wife Beverly Burleigh and their 5 children) and his cousin Jackie Tathum.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy and Manly Burleigh.

Peter loved his career with the RCMP and spoke fondly of it until the day he died (many colourful stories were lived and shared over the years). He worked in “E” Division his entire service and in traffic services for the vast majority of that time. Upon retirement he worked as the Deputy Superintendent of Motor Vehicles in Victoria for 3 years. Then he and his wife purchased and ran Schroeder Creek Resort just outside of Kaslo BC for 11 years where he spent endless hours working at the marina, cutting grass, tinkering in the shop, fixing trailers and visiting with guests. All of that was followed by many years of being a snowbird and enjoying life in the Palm Desert area.

There will be a funeral at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in West Kelowna on August 13, 2025 @ 10:30am, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzhiemer’s Society of BC in Peter’s memory.

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