Grocer, Mayor of Brandon (1979-1989).
Born at Minnedosa on 5 January 1928, son of William James “Jack” Burgess and Florence Mary Fairbairn (1896-1980), into a family known for public service—his father, grandfather and brother all having served as Mayor of Minnedosa—he was elected to the local school board at the age of 21, serving seven years before moving to Brandon where he established a grocery business.
He served on the Brandon School Board for 18 years and was active with Westbran, Core Enterprises, and Brandon Children’s Aid. He ran unsuccessfully for the Conservatives in the 1973 provincial general election. He became Mayor of Brandon in 1979, winning a byelection prompted by the resignation of Gil Box. He later served as President of the Manitoba Good Roads Association (1988). In recognition of his community service, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977).
He died at Brandon on 10 September 2005 and was buried in the Minnedosa Cemetery.
“Former mayor Ken Burgess dead at 77,” Brandon Sun, 12 September 2005.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 13 September 2005.
Obituary, Brandon Sun, 13 September 2005.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 18 August 2022
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.
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