“Canada has lost an incredibly special person, and a good man.”
A Message from Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates, whose riding includes Fort Erie, Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake
Posted April 9th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my friend Burd Sisler.
Burd was an incredible person.
At the time of his passing , Burd was the oldest man in Canada, as well as the world’s sixth oldest man and Canada’s oldest World War 2 veteran.
Burd proudly served our country in the Second World War, he spent 30 years working at the Canada Border Services Agency and raised a family in Fort Erie.
Burd had five children, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
It was an honour to become Burd’s friend over the years and spend countless time with him and his family. I was proud to have Burd nominate me to run as MPP for the last several elections and in turn I was proud to award him with the King Charles Coronation medal at his 110th birthday.
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates in a recent photo with Burd Sisler
I will miss Burd, his wisdom, his laughter, and the time we spent together. It was an honour to call him a friend. Canada has lost an incredibly special person, and a good man.
I am thinking of Burd’s family in this difficult time, and I am thankful to his family and his children, as well as the incredible staff at Garrison Place, for the work they did to support Burd.
The visitation for Burd will take place at Benner Funeral Services on Wednesday from 5pm to 8pm, and Thursday from 10am to 11am followed by a service.
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Rest in peace, Burd. We love you. Wayne Gates
For a piece Niagara At Large posted late last year on Fort Erie’s Burd Sisler being honoured in the Ontario legislature upon his 110th birthday, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2025/11/05/niagara-veteran-burdett-sisler-becomes-canadas-oldest-living-person-recognized-in-ontario-legislature/
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