Richard “Mark” Burgess

Our deepest condolences to Mark’s family. Mark was a well respected and loved member of the acting community, from Toronto to Vancouver. He and his talent will be missed.

I met Mark years ago while doing a play in London. We was a spirited, funny guy and every time we would see each other he didn’t skip a beat. We worked again on a show called Mayday and would see each other occasionally after that. Always smiling and happy to see friends. He will be missed.

Mark was my highschool friend. His energy, enthusiasm and dedication to theatre are a constant inspiration. He was kind person to me. I hope you find solace in the love and artistry of Mark’ life.

My condolences to the family and friends of Mark at this difficult time.
I went to St Michael grade school and have very fond memories of those days…I also was at Windsor U when Mark was studying acting there he was always kind and welcoming to me through out the years…
And will be missed

Sending our condolences to Mark’s family. He was such a lovely soul. We we’re very sad to hear of his passing. My hubby and I worked with Mark many years ago and remembered him fondly. Peace, love and light for all those who will miss this wonderful human.

I am very glad to have known Mark, and to have a seen a number of his performances, and shared his company at Shaw. Very grateful to have been able to say bon voyage to him before he passed.

Mark was a true champion of following your passions in pursuing a career in the arts. He was a great friend and supporter to me during our time together at the Ryerson Theatre School. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by those of us who knew him. My deepest condolences to all the family.

I am so grateful to have met Mark, if only briefly through our work as ushers at the Canadian Opera Company. He was an excellent conversationalist, wether we were sitting down for a long chat during a quiet second act or just brushing past each other in the hallways. Sending my condolences to his family and friends.

You will be missed Mark. Will miss running into you in various pubs around the city and talking about all things in general. R.I.P.

Mark, was a wonder-full human being and a beauty-full soul.
May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing.
Condolences to All who shared love with Mark.

We knew and loved Mark ever since he was a neighbourhood kid in Old North London. Back then, he was a young cast member in Art’s productions of Oliver! and the Music Man in Victoria Park Band Shell. “Birds”, as we came to call him, was our cherished friend ever since way back then in the mid-70’s, and he was a true darling, known to our youngest granddaughters as “Uncle Mark” and will always stay alive in our family’s memory.

Our most sincere and deepest condolences to every member of Mark’s family.

Mark was a wonderful colleague and contributed so much to our program. We are grateful for his work and contributions to health care teaching and simulation for medical students.

May Mark rest in power and peace.

Sincerely,

The SPP Team

Rest In Peace. Beautiful soul.❤️❤️❤️

Mark was a wonderful colleague and a lovely human. My love and condolences to his family and all those who loved him.

A beautiful person inside and out, who truly saw those around him. Condolences to all Mark’s family and friends.

I met Mark when I was at Ryerson. So engaging and charismatic and generous. I saw him in NED & JACK and felt wowed by his energy and gifts! Then I got to work with him- twice…always so lovely and fun. And committed to the work – one piece was so difficult and odd, but he went all in! Bumped into him a few years ago and reconnected but, busy lives and we didn’t hang out again. Honoured to have known him. Condolences to everyone who is missing him.

Rest my condolences
Rip Mark

Miss you.

I worked with Mark in To Kill A Mockingbird a thousand years ago! I was a younger actor, fresh out of theatre school, and I thought he was just so amazing! I am so incredibly sad to hear of his passing. He was loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you. xo

I worked with Mark early in my career in Toronto and was always so inspired by his passion for his craft. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My deepest condolences to the family.

Scott White

Mark was a lovely man and a fine and respected actor. He will be ever missed and remembered and loved by all who knew him. I offer most heartfelt condolences to his family. May loving memories being comfort and solace in the days ahead.

Sending love and condolences to Mark’s family and all who loved him. What a special person he was. Always so open and present. This served him well, as he was a beautiful performer, good as it gets.

This comes as a surprise. Mark played my son in Purgatory in Ingelstadt. He was a rock as fellow actors can be . My love to his love ones. Wind in his sails .

I had the privilege of working with Mark at the Four Seasons Centre and he distinguished himself through his humour and force of personality. I am heartened to know that he was surrounded by the love of his family and friends when he needed it most. Sending all who knew Mark condolences for his passing.

Another Angel has his wings…
I must admit that I didn’t know Mark well personally, but as a young actor we crossed paths many times in audition rooms and I was always touched by his kind and gentle spirit. In later years i was always proud to witness the successes he had in his career. Always a compelling, inspiring and gracious performer.
My sincere condolences to all that grieve this great loss to our families and communities.

I’m so sorry to heary of Mark’s passing, and am sorry for the hearts of everyone who knew him. Despite his many accomplishments, he was always truly humble. I will remember the many times I saw him reach out to include someone who was just on the periphery of a group or a conversation and invite them in. He was talented. He was kind. He was genuine. We were lucky to have him.

Thank you for the conversations at work, you were always a joy to see on shift. We’ll have a glass of port in a cellar together one of these days.

Mark had such great energy and charm. We met at Ryerson as students then at Shaw as working actors. Nice to see the lovely messages and condolences to all who are touched by his journey to the beyond

We had the chance to “play” with Mark in Vancouver doing a production of “A Christmas Carol” reading for charity ❤️He was so wonderful as an actor and just a lovely human 🤗he touched the lives of many many people . How lucky we were to have such a brief time with him but the fondest of memories. Our condolences to his family . He was well loved in the acting community 😊🤗

My sincere condolences to Mark’s family.
I worked with Mark some years ago in Toronto and remember him as a funny, kind, beautiful soul. Sleep well my friend.. XO

Oh Mark, this world will miss you in so many ways! I had the privilege to work with you in Vancouver at your agency for a few years. Your kindness to all, your real interest in listening to people and the respect you always had for everyone you met just leaves us all with such a high standard of how to follow in your path. Thank you for gracing us with your presence and all my love and strength to all who love you dearly.

I knew Mark from theatre school. He was in the year ahead of me and what I remember most about him is his sparkle. Sparkling eyes, sparkling smile, sparkling energy. The news of his illness and passing has been hard to take. My deepest condolences to his family and friends and colleagues. Mark, I wish you a beautiful journey.

Mark was a kind
friend with a warm heart you will be missed Birds!

Mark and I worked together in a lovely production of Measure For Measure directed by Kate Lynch. It was 1994 I think. We had a great time. Twenty five years later, and with no contact in between, he was gracious and generous to open a room in his apartment to me when I was in a time of need. No questions asked. We had some nice times there before I moved on. I loved doing self tapes with him and having chats about art. We had our tears and laughter, I am very grateful for his family, whom he spoke of often in such loving terms. Thank you for tending to our friend in his time. I shall miss him.

Deepest condolences to the family. Mark was a marvelous poetic performer who brought such grace and elegance to his role in Molly Wood. From the moment we met him we knew he was the performer we had been imagining.

My condolences to Mark’s family and to those all around the Globe who had the pleasure of knowing him or watching his incredible work. We were in theatre school back in the day…learning…growing…sharing our dreams. His talent…wit…charm and warmth made everyone feel so welcome…all done with those sparkling eyes. I had the good fortune of reuniting and doing a show with Mark a few years ago. Such a joy to work with…so many wonderful memories. Rest easy my Friend. Forever in our hearts. See ya down the road Buddy xo

My condolences to all of Mark’s family and friends for his passing.

I was saddened by this news.

I will always remember Mark as a wonderful colleague of mine working at the McCaul Street Vaccination Clinic during the height of the pandemic.

He was always professional with a great sense of humor.

Mark will be missed by everyone who knew him.

I was blessed to work with Mark at the Four Seasons Centre and it was always a joy to encounter him. I would actively seek him out when we worked together so we could catch up and share a laugh. His love of life was infectious. I carry such a love for him in my heart and will care for him always. The world feels dimmer without him in it. Sending love to his family and all that knew him and were impacted by his wonderful spirit <3

Burgermeister.. The bitter spirits have stolen a precious spirit long before its appointed time. Oh that I could have reached deeper into that absinthe abyss to free thee from the clutches of its unholy influence. You were a gentle soul whose empathic gifts were a double edged sword of light. I was sooo blessed to call you friend, to share that infectious laugh, to be directed by you in The Company of Heaven, to watch you so often on stage bring laughter and tears to so many, to have broken many a bread feasting on your gourmet meals, to have a caring and unconditionally loving brother I never had in my own life.. to share many a deep and soulful conversation of life’s spiritual mysteries. . Enjoy that eternal peace you so richly deserve. You were a prince amongst men.. – love Brent Fidler

Uncle Burgy,as you were known, will be sorely missed. Thanks for your friendship over 35 years.

Mark and Chloe

Remembering Mark’s love of his family and being with Uncle Pookie Bear one Christmas as he joyfully shopped for Gund bears. Though we’ve all had our unique relationships with Mark, being touched by his kindness seems to be something in common. I remember our first meeting like yesterday, a forward handshake and yes, that sparkle in his eye. From Ryerson, we went on to become great friends. Mark was easy to love. My condolences to Mark’s family and all of us who will miss having him here.

I was terribly saddened to learn of Mark’s passing. I too share my deepest condolences with his beloved family and his many, many friends. I met Mark more than twenty years ago when we were to play Beatrice and Benedick together. Unfortunately, circumstances led to both of us leaving the company and I was robbed of a glorious acting partner. As others have shared, I knew Mark to be an extremely kind, incredibly supportive, delightful, radiant man. Bless him.

Over the last 15 years you had become a loyal and trusted friend. I grew to love you like a brother. I will miss your wit, conversation and companionship. Rest In Peace, my great friend. I will always think well of you.

I met Mark when we were both young actors in Toronto, navigating audition rooms and taking baby steps into life in the theatre. Although we never worked together, my biggest memory of Mark was the light and warmth in his eyes whenever we crossed paths. My heart hurts for his family, close friends and colleagues. I’m relieved to learn that he was surrounded by such loving souls at the end of a life far too brief.

I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. We were in Theatre School together. Mark was funny, deeply passionate about the art of acting, and a good friend. In recent years I told my children one of Mark’s tales about bagpipes – his stories live on in family lore. I am so glad to hear that family and friends were around him at the end. My sincere condolences.