Obituary – Merlin Burke

Merlin George Gustav Burke (Bork) 

With heavy hearts yet deep gratitude for the incredible life Merlin lived, we share the news of his passing.

Merlin Burke passed away peacefully at the Woodland Villa in Long Sault Ont. on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at the age of 95. Merlin was born in Litchfield Que. (just east of Shawville, Quebec)

He is predeceased by both his parents, Mother Loulia Burke (nee Moore) and Father, Gustav Adolph Bork (Burke). Margret Isabell Hobbs (Merlin’s first wife) and their son Brian Burke. Also, by his second wife Elvira “Vera” Burke (nee Lehto) June 2023 at the age of 85.

Merlin is survived by his sister, Evelyn Victoria Nunn-Christensen of Smiths Falls, Ont. and his brother, Marshall “Max” Bork, (wife Ilona Maclaren-Bork) of Ottawa. Lovingly remembered by his sons, Patrick Burke and Randy Burke, both of Riverside Heights; and his daughter, Barbara Mackay (husband Art “Buddy” Mackay). Merlin also leaves behind his grandchildren Shane, Jason, Jessica, Harrison, and Avery; and great-grandchildren Estelle, Juliana, Adeline, Jake, Jordan, and Julien.

The Journey of a Self-Made Man

Merlin’s story began in the soil of the Ladysmith and Shawville area, where he was raised with the work ethic of a farmer’s son. That humble foundation eventually gave way to a multi-talented man with a restless, entrepreneurial heart. As a young man in his late teens, he chased opportunity to the tobacco fields of Tillsonburg Ont., before settling in Sudbury with his first wife Margret. Many will remember those early years when he served the community as a milkman—literally horse-powered—navigating the snowy streets of Sudbury with a horse that thankfully knew his route during the busy Christmas and New Year seasons. His path then led him to public service, first as a police officer in Copper Cliff, and later, returning to the Ottawa area with his second wife Vera and family, where he traded his patrol car for the rails as an OTC streetcar operator and bus driver.

Merlin didn’t just work at OTC, he built legacies as his natural connection with animals led him to acquire a small boarding dog kennel on Hawthorne Road near Leitrim, a venture he operated and enlarged. It was here, alongside his wife Vera, that his business instincts truly sharpened. With Vera managing the books, Merlin was free to pursue the next great challenge. His career as a courtier of hospitality spanned decades and regions:  He acquired the Chateau Diotte Hotel in Wakefield Que., and later he stepped in to manage the Blue Sea Lake Lodge, also in Quebec, always seeking the next hurdle. In Golden Lake Ontario he owned a diverse property featuring a motel cabins, a diner, and a gas station. Later in Morrisburg Ont., he moved the family to acquire and operate the Upper Canada Motel, a landmark at the time, a two-story establishment with a restaurant facing the Seaway on SDG County Road 2 at 8. He later expanded his reach along county road 2, with the Parkway and Surrey Motels, a legacy that lives on today through his son, Patrick with the Parkway Motel.  In the late 1990s, Merlin’s ventures took a final, storied turn as he took over an industrial building naming it the Burkely Building, and around the same time acquired a local Irish pub in Williamstown, Ont., originally known as Jack Delaney’s. Merlin renamed it Burke’s Pub, where he and Vera welcomed the community for numerous years.  Beyond the balance sheets and property deeds, Merlin was a man of deep personal interests balanced with his sense of humour. Regardless of where Merlin resided, he was both a devoted judo practitioner achieving 4th degree black belt and a committed mentor and teacher to his students, a coach to his young sons in both judo and hockey. Merlin at age 79 was still doing 50 sit-ups and 50 pushups daily!  He also was a passionate beer and winemaker. Whether he was using a kit or starting from scratch, the patience and care he put into his wine or beer mirrored the way he built his many business endeavors, with heart, dedication, and a bit of his own unique flair.

While our hearts are heavy with his absence, we cherish the countless memories Merlin gave us. He will be fondly remembered by his family and a wide circle of friends for his generous spirit, his humor and dependable presence.

A celebration of Merlin’s life will take place this summer, as he has been cremated.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com