November 27, 1959 – August 22, 2025
Loren Pat Burdett was born on November 27th 1959 in Eriksdale, MB and passed away August 22nd 2025 with his son Chris and daughter Jolene by his side. Joining his father Joseph Leonard, mother Johanna Fjola, brother Brian, two sisters Carol and Lenore as well as his dear friend Arden. Pat is survived by his wife Debbie, his kids Christopher (Noemi) and Jolene (David). His two amazing grandkids Taylor-Anne and Zacharias who he loves so dearly, his sisters Anita, Suzie and Cindy. We also shall not forget his two furry grandkids Mr. Solo and Sir Sherlock, as well as friends and family who will miss him dearly. Pats life is full of hardship and love, a life that sculpted a brave stubborn hard man with the biggest softest of hearts.
Growing up, Pats father Joseph was the local mortician in Lundar Manitoba. With a family of 5 sisters and one brother Pats mother and father both passed away before he was 12 years old. Pat had to drop out of school to help support his family and work on a farm. Pat then lived in various places, moving from his brother Brians to sister Anitas as well as sister Carols often ending up back in Lundar to be taken in by the Tkach family. He then worked for most of his youth ending up at Motor Coach Industries for a few years before going to Canadian National Railroad where he would spend his entire working life before retiring at the age of 55 years old. Pat would often take on side jobs from painting cars with his brother-in-law Denis to building fences on the weekend with Bestway Fencing. He would repair and replace roofs, build garages and fix cars (if only for a few free beers and a good time). All was ultimately to support his family even more. His entire working life was full of hard jobs that forged the toughest man I have ever known.
Pat enjoyed many things in life, and it was not only full of just hard work and hard times. Meeting the love of his life when he was 19 years old, In July 1982 he would go on to marry Debbie and start building a life with her and raising a family. One of his favorite past times was going hunting with his best buddies Arden, Barry and Ory where they would take their boys on hunting adventures to various locations in Interlake Manitoba. Stories of which there are no shortages of and are cherished by all who experienced them. He enjoyed playing hockey in his younger years, played in more than a few softball tournaments and would enjoy long drives out to the country to revisit his roots and old friends. Often surprising the Miller family and arriving without notice. He enjoyed going golfing especially with his son Chris, who despite being a pretty good golfer could never beat his old man. At least until injury gave him a handicap advantage. Anyone who has ever golfed with Pat knows of his powerful windmill swing that defied all traditional golf mechanics. A swing that somehow would allow him to smack a drive that would rival a tour pro. In fact, one of the last movies Pat ever watched was Happy Gilmore 2 which is fitting for he seemed to be a real-life Happy Gilmor. From going to watch his kids play hockey to bragging to friends and family about their accomplishments. Bragging about his kids was by far his favorite thing. More than a few of you have heard the tale of Jolene taking on two boys at once in a hockey fight that cleared the entire opposing teams’ bench upon which the refs only concern was holding Jolene back from getting to the rest of the team. One of many stories he was proud to share.
Then there is that word……
Pride!
Pat was a proud strong stubborn man that if you were close enough to him you would have received a few of his outlashes of frustration. A hard life of survival gave him this exterior shell seemingly impenetrable. He would receive physical injuries and just keep on working. Go through emotionally tough times and cope by working hard, playing harder and often pushing through the pain with anger and grit. All of this was a protective coating that shielded him because on the inside lay a heart so big it pushed through obstacles that even medical professionals considered not possible. Many who read this know of more than a few times Pat has come to help. Sometimes with great personal sacrifice. It was aid that he did not hesitate to give and we would like everyone to know that we feel he was wanting to make right of some wrongs. To apologies for an outburst or say sorry he wasn’t there the last time. The greatest example of Pats love came in his final days though.
When admitted to the hospital things deteriorated quickly. A list was made of accomplishments he wanted to achieve. At the heart of those goals was to visit friends and family and to see his grandkids one last time. His final days were full of confusion hardship and pain mirroring his struggle through life but just like in his life the hardship was shadowed by amazing experiences. He fought through that hardship by being motivated by love. All who had the gift of seeing him have their own stories and we invite you all to share them to keep his memory alive. To those who could not see him; know there is nothing that would have mattered to him more than to say one last goodbye. Just like in life when he would answer the call for help, he wanted those last moments to say “I Love You and I am sorry. I wish I had more time and please forgive me.” We all know in our hearts that this man needs no forgiveness. Staying by his side for the last few weeks we saw his fight was about sharing these kinds of moments with all he loved. Each time someone he did not expect to see again entered the room we could see he was saddened because it might have been the last time but also grateful. Tears of both pain and joy.
When the news came the doctors gave him till the end of the day, two days max. That stubborn hard man fought a whole week and a half through pain and suffering to reach his final wish. To see his grandkids again. Doctors and nurses expressed how amazed they were. How they had never known a tougher man and how inspired they were, by the love shown by all who supported him and how he channeled his love to see his grandkids one last time.
The thing is that people who know him won’t be surprised at all by how much he pushed through. Your responses would be “That’s Pat for you!” Our hope is this will inspire you all to say goodbye to him in your own way and let him know how much he means to you.
Goodbye Pat, a husband, a father, a Papa, and most importantly my best friend.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Pat’s memorial page using the comment field below.
