Burtch, Hugh (Died)

BURTCH, Hugh - It is with great sadness that our family must acknowledge the passing of our father, the Rev. Hugh C. Burtch, late of Stratford, a United Church Minister for better than 50 years. Rev. H. Burtch was the father of Wayne Craig Burtch of Stratford, Dianne Limin (James) of London and Nadine Valle (Andrew) of Woodstock. Beloved grandfather to Eric and Anthony Valle of Woodstock and Edward, David and Christopher Limin of London. Hugh began in 1951 as a Student Minister at St. Luke's United Church when it was just a small church on Parkview Ave. in Sarnia, to his last pastorate, St. David's United and Fairfield United, the latter being on Barton Street, just a few blocks from where he was born and raised on Tragina Ave., in Hamilton. Rev. Burtch died peacefully in Stratford General Hospital, February 15th, 2008. He passed quietly and with dignity, which mirrored his life. He shunned any fuss or recognition either personally or professionally. He considered his ministry as simply "a job that he was called upon to do," and he did that to the best of his abilities and those abilities were admired. A memorial service will be held at Central United Church, 194 Avondale Ave., Stratford on February 23 at 2 p.m. Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Central United Church Memorial Fund through the W. G. YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, Ontario. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com