Frankie Bursey

It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of our father, son, and brother Frankie Bursey on October 20, 2015. Born in New Waterford on October 25, 1959, he was the son of Doreen (Hutchison), and the late Frank Bursey

Frankie was well-known for his outstanding volunteer contributions with organizations and committees within the community of New Waterford. Frankie dedicated much of his life to his children and coaching or volunteering his time to sports. Although he enjoyed coaching his own children, he devoted his time to coaching many teams of all age groups within the town of New Waterford. There was rarely a sporting event that Frankie was not involved in, or in attendance for. Of all sports, Frankie’s true passion was the sport of baseball. He coached baseball for over 15 years, winning five provincial championships within the New Waterford Minor Baseball Association. Frankie also led the Glace Bay Jr AAA baseball team to Nova Scotia and Atlantic championships in 2004. The team also went on to represent Nova Scotia in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Along with his success on the bench, Frankie was also known for his hard work and dedication behind the scenes. He served on many committees over the years such as Chairman of the Don Johnson Cup (Atlantic Junior B Hockey Championships), member of the New Waterford Minor Hockey Board of Directors, Vice-President and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, member of the Board of Directors for The New Waterford and District Committee Center, and as a member of the New Waterford Minor Baseball Board of Directors. Most recently Frankie’s passion and motivation was towards building and the development of the New Waterford Sports Hall of Fame. Frankie’s hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed within the community. He was named the New Waterford Community Press Volunteer of the Year as voted by the residents of New Waterford in 1998. Frankie was given the Minor Basketball Appreciation Award for many years of outstanding service in 2000. He was the recipient of the Anne Holland Memorial Award in recognition of an outstanding community volunteer in 2001 and was also given the Investors Group-Community Sport Hero Award- in recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of amateur sport. Of all those accomplishments, Frankie’s greatest blessings were his three children: Kyle, Brett and Lacey. Frankie’s love and passion for coaching and volunteering is reflected through his children, as they all also coach, work and dedicate their time within Cape Breton.

Frankie is survived by his children Kyle (Alicia), Brett (Adele) and Lacey, his mother Doreen, his sisters Anna Marie Forward, Janice Ferguson and Darlene Bursey, the mother of his children Tina Bursey, many nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles and friends.

A special thanks to a lifetime and close friend Jim “Fred” Head for his kindness and friendship to our dad and son.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9. A funeral mass to celebrate Frankie’s life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at 1 p.m. in the Parish of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Ave, with Father Ray Huntley officiating followed by a reception at Royal Canadian Legion, Plummer Ave. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, 862-7500. Donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice. To send online condolences go to www.mclellanfuneralhome.com