Obituary of Burton Rhyno

Burton passed away peacefully with Jocelyn by his side on October 13, 2024. It was an honour to support Burton through his two-year battle with cancer. He was 69 years old when he died, and I can still hear him saying, “I’m not ready to go yet.” Those who were fortunate enough to know Burton, to spend time with him and call him their friend were lucky. He was a kind, positive, strong, patient and generous person. Burton was born and lived most of his life in Halifax. Just after high school he worked for his uncle at the Bill Lynch Fair. That hard work inspired him to continue his education and complete his B.A. After that he realized that education was very important. He tried his luck at fishing; bought a boat and lost his shirt. He worked many jobs with Mitchell & McRae Ltd. (his dad’s company), Local 56, Boiler Maker’s, and the Dockyard. Burton worked away from home often, travelling across Canada, to Bermuda, France and Boston. Burton was not one for showmanship. He was genuine and down to earth, did many good deeds and was never boastful. He enjoyed teaching others how to do just about anything from baking bread, growing garlic, house building to gardening. He saw the best in the people he met, family, friends and strangers alike. When we moved to Grand Desert, he grew to love his Island and spent many years building, plowing, tilling and planting. He Googled how to build and plant many things. He would often say, “just Google it.” He got a motorcycle and together we enjoyed our trips and rallies to Digby. We vacationed annually in Cuba for many years and had our vacation friends from England, Scotland, New Brunswick and Gold River NS. After he retired, he was able to fit in some fishing and hunting, as he loved doing both. He faced his cancer with strength and optimism. As his illness progressed, he took up knife sharpening as he could do that from his chair. Burton lived life to the fullest. The advice that he believed in and would pass on to others is: Be kind always and help others when you can. Expect nothing in return, except knowing that you helped another person along the way. Pay it forward! He is survived by brother, David Rhyno; sisters, Ann Borden and Gail Gibb. Many thanks to the Hematology Dept.; Dr. Fraga & Trish Brown, all staff at the VG hospital floor 8A & Medical Day unit, The Lodge That Gives and VON Services. A special thanks to Dartmouth General Hospital Emergency for their support during Burton’s final hours. Join us for a ‘Celebration of life’ held on November 5, 2024, in UA Local 56, 31 Ragus Road Dartmouth from 2pm to 4pm. Please bring your stories to share with Jocelyn and his family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Canadian Cancer Society or The Lodge That Gives.