Peter BURGENER

BURGENER, Peter G.
May 18, 1950 - Toronto, Ontario
November 29, 2014 - Calgary, Alberta
Peter, beloved husband of Shannon, passed away peacefully at the age of 64 years, after a valiant battle with cancer. Peter's rich and adventurous life began in Toronto, where he graduated from the University of Toronto's Architecture program. In 1978, Peter launched his own architectural practice in Calgary, which, over the course of the last three and a half decades, grew into one of the leading architectural firms in Western Canada, evolving into BKDI in 1994. At the age of 21, Peter married Jocelyn, and together they would raise four children, instilling them with the gifts of art, culture and community engagement their parents valued so greatly. Peter was predeceased by his mother, Elinor, and will be lovingly remembered by daughter Sam (Scott, and sons Alec and Henry); Matt (Amanda, and daughter Nora), and John, all of Calgary; and David (Mayumi, and daughter Mitsuki) of Brisbane, Australia. Peter is survived by his father, John, and brothers Paul (Suzanne) and John (Rebecca) and sister Deborah (Jeffrey). Peter lived by the wisdom that one should be responsible for, and responsive to, one's community, and never lost sight of ways in which he could give back to the city he has called home for over 36 years. He was a key participant in councils and committees from all levels of public education, health care, government, the architectural profession, the arts, church and his local neighbourhood community. He served as a member of the Board and Building Committee of the Calgary District Hospital Group, the Calgary Planning Commission, and the Calgary Development Appeal Board; as Senator of the University of Calgary, President of the Alberta Association of Architects, President of the Catholic Family Service Agency; and as a board member of Calgary Opera and Honorary Patron of the Alberta College of Art and Design, to name a few. In addition to the many local roles Peter played, he also served as a Governor of the University of Toronto and was a board member of the National Capital Commission in Ottawa. Peter's tireless commitment to the development of a rich and vibrant city led to his professional contributions to Calgary's architectural landscape, including the Glenmore Landing Shopping Centre, the Canterra Tower, renovations to St. Mary's Cathedral, and the Arriva Tower. BKDI was a longtime sponsor of the GMC Rangeland Derby, and Peter served as the Calgary Stampede's Master Plan Consultant, contributing to the vision for the Stampede's Youth Campus. Peter instilled a team spirit in his staff and colleagues, leading his firm to contribute to many not-for-profit organizations, including the Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary Homeless Foundation, the Alberta Cancer Society, Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, the Mustard Seed, Theatre Calgary, the United Way, and many others. Peter loved sailing, travelling, and painting, and was a beginning member of the Calgary Polo Club. His energy, enthusiasm and integrity will be missed by his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched in so many ways. A celebration of Peter's life will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral (219-18th Ave S.W.) on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be directed to the Peter Burgener Memorial Fund, c/o The Calgary Foundation, 700, 999 8 - Street SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1J5 www.thecalgaryfoundation.org. In living memory of Peter Burgener, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.