Farewell, friends! The sails are set,
the wind is east, the moorings fret.
Shadows long before me lie,
beneath the ever-bending sky,
but islands lie behind the Sun
that I shall raise ere all is done;
lands there are to west of West,
where night is quiet and sleep is rest.
Obituary
Theodore Arthur James Burn
It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Theodore Arthur James Burn, who left this world on 27 June 2024 at the age of 38. A cherished son to Robert and Anne Burn, beloved brother to Rosie Burn, and treasured friend to those who knew him. Theo was born on May 26 1986 in Hinton, Alberta, spending time in his youth in the UK and Calgary before finding his home in Brisbane, Australia, where he spent his time sharing laughter and adventures with friends, creating unforgettable memories.
Theo was a man of multiple talents and endless curiosity. He was an exceptional chef whose creativity and expertise in the kitchen was a true gift he shared with those he loved. His culinary prowess was paralleled only by his love for sailing, a pastime he shared with his family and allowed him to take on the bigger adventures in life.
Theo's generosity with friends was a hallmark of his character. Whether through offering a listening ear, helping to understand and explain the bigger issues in the world, or being a core member of attending concerts and events, he made those around him feel truly valued and comfortable. Theo really came alive and was in his element when sharing the atmosphere of live music, among friends.
A voracious reader, Theo's insatiable curiosity fuelled an intellect that was nothing short of extraordinary. His conversations ranged widely, from the mundane to the philosophical, and no topic was too obscure or complex for him to contribute a meaningful insight.
Theo leaves behind a legacy of kindness, intelligence, and boundless goodwill. He is survived by his loving family and countless friends, all of whom are better for having known him. His spirit will continue to sail through the hearts of those he touched.
A celebration of life to honor and celebrate Theo's life will be held on 15 July 2024 at 3 pm at 50 Oxlade Dr, New Farm QLD 4005. Friends, family, and all who had the pleasure of knowing Theo are invited to attend and share in the remembrance of a remarkable life well-lived.
Please see details below for more information.
Gallery
Memory wall
Thank you to your family and friends for sharing you with us.
Sorely missed, never forgotten.
Words cannot express our sorrow at the passing of this wonderful young man too soon. We will treasure the time we had with him.
You were our account manager and a friend to many members of the team at Origin.
News of your passing was met with disbelief, sadness and the cold recognition:
Of the pain in the hearts for those you have left behind- your parents, sister, family, friends and colleagues.
You were always kind and considerate.
Proactive and helpful.
A sharp mind.
Taken too young.
I had the pleasure of being Theo’s compatriot in many avenues of life: in high school, in our first kitchen jobs, working at various bars together, even in our first corporate roles. We had all kinds of crazy schemes we dreamt up together and even incorporated ourselves as The Endeavor Co. at one point. Theo was my gym buddy, my squash partner, and my go-to friend in all things for a very long time. Theo and I were side-by-side through many of life’s defining times together, and it is with great sorrow that I confront the ever-present gap he has left behind.
Theo helped to shape the course my life has taken, and his imprint will always be there. I have memories of Theo that sharply stand out in my mind that demonstrate the man he was: the fierceness of his resolve, his kindness to those around him, his light-hearted approach to life, his sense of adventure, and his sharp wit.
People like Theo are rare. Theo loved quoting his favourite authors, so I’ll quote one of his favourites, Hemingway, once more in saying: “To be able to say I loved this person, we had a hell of a nice time together; it’s over but in a way it will never be over and I do know that I for sure loved this person, to be able to say that and mean it, that’s rare.”
Friends like Theo come along once in a lifetime. He will be fondly remembered, and deeply missed. Rest in peace brother.
The tide recedes,
But leaves behind
Bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down,
But gentle warmth
Still lingers on the land.
The music stops,
And yet it echoes on
In sweet refrains;
For every joy that passes,
Something beautiful remains
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Service
The celebration of Theo's life will be just that; a celebration. As such, please dress respectfully, but true to the friendships you shared with him. That means colours, patterns, or flowing linens that Theo loved to wear, are welcomed. Please dress however you are comfortable.
Attendees are invited to join from 2pm at the Officers Mess.
The memorial ceremony will begin at 3pm sharp.
Entry is at the back of the building, along the river.
Please give yourself time for parking and ready to be seated by 3pm.
There will be a ceremony, readings from the family and friends, and a tribute slideshow, after which we will be playing music from Theo's much loved playlists.
There will be a cash bar available prior to the service, and upon the ceremony completing, the bar will be open for drinks on Theo.
The formal ceremony will conclude around 4pm and guests are welcomed to stay until 6pm.
For those attending remotely there will be a link made available below.
Start times for the ceremony are:
3PM July 15th, Brisbane
11PM July 14th, Calgary
6AM July 15th, UK
If you are attending remotely, and wish to have any words read on your behalf, please leave a message on the Memory Wall and the celebrant can read on your behalf.
If you are unable to attend, there will be a video made available shortly after.
While we mourn the loss of our friend, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy brought into our lives. Your presence would mean a great deal to us during this time of remembrance and reflection.
