Obituary – Albert Lyle Burke, 46

October 15th, 1962 – March 8th, 2009

Albert Lyle Burke was born on October 15, 1962, in Fort St. John at 9pm. He was the baby son of Fred and Madeline Burke. Albert grew up in the Fort Nelson First Nation community, which made him well liked by many friends; both young and old. Some of Al’s hobbies were fishing, hunting, trapping, playing bingo, wrestling and hitting up the latest garage sales; not to mention chewin’. Whenever you saw Albert, you could always count on him to have a can of Copenhagen tucked inside a shirt or pant’s pocket. Albert started work as a welder’s helper with Henri’s Welding when he was 10 years young; he also worked as a carpenter, as a chainsaw operator for Adolphus Capot-Blanc Contracting and most recently Archie’s Autowrecking, alongside his buddy, Glen. No matter what, Al was always working, or lending a hand to one of his many friends or family. You could always catch Albert walking, biking or ski-dooing the rez trails because it was nature to be outdoors; keeping busy. One of the many memories that the family has of Albert is that he had an infectious laugh and he could always be counted on to cheer us up. That is not to forget that he looked very much like his father, Fred and laughed exactly like him too. One of the fondest memories that his sisters wanted to share with all of us is his Elvis impersonation. One time Albert was babysitting and told the kids, “Let’s Play Elvis!” He sent them off to grab towels and scarves, while he got his ‘manager’, Darcy, to put on Uncle Jimmy’s Elvis record; while he waited for the kids on the coffee table. The song “All Shook Up” started to play and Albert struck his favorite Elvis pose, with his right leg shaking away as he started piling towels around his neck; a couple at a time. Each time he would throw one to the ‘crowd’ (his nieces and nephews), Darcy would hand him another towel or scarf all while the kids were jumping up and down, yelling. “Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!” We hope, as his family, that you can laugh with us today and share his larger then life memory. He was certainly one of a kind; our brother, uncle and friend. His relationships were very important to him, as he was a loyal friend to the end, especially the relationships he had with his buddies; Glen, Tony,Owen, Larry, Duane, Jesse, Bruce, Gordie Gairdner and Archie Harrold. He will be missed by all that had the honor of meeting and being in his great and adventurous life. When the sun shines, warm and brightly, know that he is in Heaven, watching over us and having a ‘chew’. Rest in peace brother. Albert is predeceased by his parents Fred and Madeline and his sister Diane. He leaves behind his surviving uncle, Uncle Edward Needlay, as well as his siblings; Jeanne (Henri), Larry, Jimmy, Kenny (Lorraine), Elizabeth (Ralph), Margaret (Henry), Helen (Randy), Jerry, Clifford, Donna(Smokey) and Maxine (Clyde). He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends. Thank you to: Kelvin Kotchea & William Kotchea Adolphus & Charlene Gordon Didzena Adolphus Capot-Blanc Contracting Harvey & Vina Behn Chrystal & Jason Juanita Thomson & Helpers Chalo School, Florence Michel & Irene Capot-Blanc The Northern Rockies Regional District Encana Friendship Centre Thank you to anyone that was missed.

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