In loving memory of
Graham Steven Burris
It is with a profound sense of sadness that the family of Graham Steven Burris, 63, of Deep Cove, share the news of his passing. Graham was diagnosed in February, 2025, with an aggressive life-ending brain tumour that would not only rob him of his future, but also of his past… his lifetime of memories. He faced these past months courageously, grateful for having a bit of ‘extra time’ with the love of his life, Martina, his family and friends. In the end, he passed away on his terms, dying peacefully at home with Martina in his arms, his siblings and their spouses close by.
Born and raised in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, Graham was the son of the late John and Iva (Kohler) Burris, the youngest brother to Rob, Pat and the late Paul Burris. Graham’s sense of adventure and love of the outdoors was fostered from a young age, starting with family road trips taken cross country to the Canadian Rockies.
Graham found his career niche in technical television production earning his base credentials at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After a short stint at ATV in Halifax Graham made a big move across the country for a technical position with CBC at their new broadcast centre in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was in Regina where he also met his soul mate, best friend, and muse Martina Dymond. In 1997, Graham was transferred to CBC Calgary, where he remained until transitioning to a freelance/contract career in 2001. At that time, Graham and Martina founded their own little production company, Emerge Media, making small productions, indie films,
corporate videos and fulfilling short-term contracts with CBC sports and other media groups. In 2005, one of these contracts led to Graham being approached for a full-time position at Shaw Communications as a Production Editor for the Marketing and Corporate Communications departments. He thrived in the new role with his positive ‘can do’, problem solving attitude, and technical savvy. His confidence and aptitude to take on advancing technologies, grounded by a calm personal demeanor elevated Graham at Shaw, initially to Post Production Manager, In-house Creative, and eventually Manager of Creative Services / Retail Production. He remained with Shaw until July of 2023, mere months after their merger with Rogers.
Away from work, Graham’s vibrancy sparkled in the outdoors. He put on thousands of kilometres in his hiking boots (wearing out many pairs) doing day hikes or scrambling up a mountain, or embarking on multi-day backpacking treks through valley trails and over mountain passes. He added many km on his mountain bike, his downhill and cross-country skis and snowshoes. He appreciated the beauty of the different seasons in all kinds of weather: sun, rain, or snow, sometimes trying to capture ‘a moment’ by dabbling in photography. Invariably, he shared the vast majority of adventures with
Martina enjoying them at his side. On occasion, they were accompanied by other family and friends… And then, there were Graham’s annual treks to the backcountry with his brother Rob… venturing into all sorts of ‘exhilarating escapades’, periodically with their white-knuckled friend Gilles in tow… LOL
In addition to the mountains, Graham made the opportunity to explore much more of Canada. One of his younger, memorable moments was driving north to Tuktoyaktuk with his brother Rob on the ice highway in a Dodge Dart in March, 1982. There were countless road trips from Regina to the mountains, with many more out to the west coast, the east coast, and into the U.S., both in summer and winter. Notable travel further afield included multiple trips to the Big Island of Hawaii and the volcanoes, northern Greece, Nepal, Switzerland, Italy, Iceland, Madeira, and Norway. In June of 2025, Graham, Martina, his siblings and their spouses made one more road trip together to Newfoundland to see the icebergs and the puffins.
Graham shared another passion with Martina for home renovations! From their first home together in Regina to their home of many years in Calgary, they undertook many makeover projects, customizing each home into their own cozy nest. Graham enjoyed the hands on aspect of the work, experiencing the satisfaction being able to complete most of it himself… (with Martina’s assistance and design approval, of course).
In quieter moments, Graham could be found working over complex jigsaw puzzles, researching some technical innovation that he wanted to try, reading a book, or enjoying a good meal with a glass of wine. Red wines from the Okanagan in B.C. were his favourite.
After many years away from his Nova Scotia roots, Graham and Martina returned in the spring of 2023, to build their ‘forever home’ overlooking the ocean in Deep Cove. They were able to move into their completed new home in March, 2025, shortly after Graham’s diagnosis.
During phone calls over the last few days, family, friends and colleagues have described Graham as generous, compassionate, vibrant, ‘a do-er’, supportive, calm, positive, vital, courageous, stoic, confident, meticulous, adventurous, fun-loving, and kind. These words about Graham resonate truth in our hearts.
Graham was Martina’s rock, her champion, her best friend, confidant, soul mate and love of her life. He and Martina shared a close partnership, complementing each other in all aspects of life, both personally and professionally. While they had planned for so many more years together, Martina is so grateful for the lifetime journey of adventures they did share together for more than 32 years.
Graham is survived by his partner in life, Martina Dymond; brother, Robert (Jean), Grande Prairie, Alberta; sister, Patricia (Paul) Comeau, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, John (2010), mother, Iva (2018) and older brother Paul (2012).
A celebration and tribute to Graham’s life will be held at their home in Deep Cove, NS,at a later date when conditions are favourable for gathering outdoors, and will be followed by the scattering of his ashes on their shoreline below. Notification will be issued in the future.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to South Shore Area Palliative Care Society for their compassionate support of Graham and his family during his illness, with a special mention to Vicki Guy as well. To all of you, your professional guidance, empathy and kindness will always be remembered.
In memory of Graham and the wonderful care he received, donations to the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society are gratefully appreciated by the family.
Online: [email protected]
By Mail: South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society
100 High Street, PO Box 159
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V9
PRINTABLE VERSION
SERVICES & GATHERINGS
Celebration of Life
Service Note
A celebration and tribute to Graham’s life will be held at their home in Deep Cove, NS,at a later date when conditions are favourable for gathering outdoors, and will be followed by the scattering of his ashes on their shoreline below. Notification will be issued in the future.FAVOURITE CAUSES
PHOTOS
Click any image to start slideshow.
Martina, Learned of Graham’s passing today May 19th, from Joe Wilcox. I’m so saddened by this, you two were so perfect for each others way. Always enjoyed the wisdom you two brought to projects that we worked on. Graham was always on top of his graphic work/world when we were at CBC. I searched for you two over the years but never hit the right mark on finding you guys. Nujma and I send our regards to family and you Martina. Take care…. Nujma & Graham Bond
Thank you for your sympathies Nujma & Graham! It’s been many years since we’ve worked together making it easy for people to lose touch. Then, we really off the radar when we made the move east. Feel free to reach out if you are ever out here in NS.
Martina,
My deepest sympathies to you and Graham’s family at this time. You are in my thoughts.
Thank you Wildor.
I am so saddened to hear of Graham’s passing and for your loss Martina. I will never forget his kindness to me as a new resident of Regina. We had many great dinners and laughs as a group. While I haven’t stayed in touch, I always got the news of his adventures from Toby. Taken too soon and will be missed but remember by all whose lives he touched in such a positive way. Thinking of you and his family. Annette
Thank you for your kind words Annette. Hold on to those memories.
Martina,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on Graham’s passing.
Thank you for being trusted friends and neighbours.
While none of us know when life‘s journey may end, we are thankful our paths crossed.
Noel & Peg
Calgary, AB
Thank you Peg & Noel. You were wonderful friends and neighbours to have. Our impromptu driveway chats were the greatest… A 2 minute hello easily turned into 1/2 hour, most of the time – and it was fantastic!
Martina, Noel delivered to us this very sad news. Our deepest condolences, Tad and Barbara
Thank you Tad and Barbara.
We were deeply saddened to hear of your loss.
Graham was a great person to spend time with, always finding a way to make you smile or laugh.
Since seeing this post we have been remembering the many times we spent with you and Graham fondly.
We will be thinking of you.
Thank you. It means a lot that you are thinking of me and us, and all the time we spent together in years gone by. Cherishing those moments to remember.
Martina
My sincere condolences to you on your loss.
I was lucky enough to have known Graham while at college in Thunder Bay. I have many great memories of him during this time and often think of him fondly. I met up with him a few times after that and his laughter was always a treat to hear. May he rest in peace
Thank you Gil. Yes, his laugh resonates in my ears at almost every picture I have of him.
I’m so sorry to hear about Graham. Though I only worked with him a short time at Shaw, he made me feel welcomed as we shared similar interests. He was always good for a conversation, a laugh and solving a problem. He was one contact that I always meant to reach back out to. Definitely a shock to hear. My deepest condolences.
Thank you Chris.
Martina,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Thank you Jane. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Martina and family.
Pam, Conor, Chelsa, and I are so sorry for your loss. Our condolences and prayers are with you at this time.
Thank you Linus, Pam, Conor and Chelsa for your thoughts and prayers.
Martina,
My sincere condolences for your loss. My thoughts are with you and Graham’s family.
Thank you Gen.
Martina,
Thank you for the wonderful summary of Graham‘s rich life over the years. He had so many amazing experiences – many of which you shared together. We were happy to have shared some of those experiences such as the polar bear dip of January 2025.
All the ways that you have described Graham resonate with us, having known him since building your forever home here in Deep Cove. He was a dear friend and neighbour to us and will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
We look forward to remembering Graham through our continued friendship with you and attending the celebration of his life in the slice of paradise the two of you created in Deep Cove.
Lorn & Shannon
Thank you for your message and for sharing a special memory Lorn. He will always be close in our hearts.
Martina,
I am so sorry. Working with Graham and spending those long hours together on projects are some pretty great memories. We really hit it off and shared a frequency. Rest in power Graham.
Hi Dwight, Good to hear from you. Graham loved working on those ‘pipe dreams’ with you. Thank you. All the best.
Martina,
Garth and I have such great warm memories of back country skiing with you both and Rob and Jean. We’re very sorry he’s gone so soon.
Brenda(and Garth)
Thank you Brenda & Garth. Those were fun trips! Oh, that snow was soooo deep.
So sorry to hear about your devastating loss. I was blessed to know Graham for 2 years while we shared an apartment in Thunder Bay whilst attending Confederation College. I have nothing but wonderful memories, great laughs and some true adventures with Graham. My heart goes out to you all. We are better people for having known Graham. Take care.
Thank you Paul.