Obituary of John Cameron Burrows

It started with a sound drifting across a Chatham street. A boy heard a neighbour practising on a rubber drum pad, knocked on the door, and walked out with a calling. For the next seven decades, John Cameron Burrows kept time. Through bandstands and courtrooms, police radios and recording studios, he lived more lives than most people dream of, and he lived every one of them in rhythm.

John was born in Chatham, Ontario on March 28, 1947 to Phyllis (Primrose) and Cameron Burrows. By age ten he was marching with the Chatham Police Boys Band Drum and Bugle Corps, and by twelve he was a working musician, having pooled his paper route and lawn-cutting money to buy his first kit from a friend’s father, on the condition that he join the man’s adult band. The first New Year’s Eve he played, he made a hundred dollars and never looked back. He drummed with the Real Canadian Army Cadets at Tecumseh High School, served as lead drummer with the Royal Canadian Army Band at Camp Ipperwash, and played with the Essex and Kent Scottish. In high school he founded the Fabulous Pharaohs, playing halls and clubs across southern Ontario and Michigan, opening for Johnny and the Hurricanes and for Little Stevie Wonder. His talents carried him to Motown, where he recorded “Big Town Boy” with Shirley Matthews. Rock and roll was still growing out of jazz in those days, and John learned it the way he learned everything: by listening, practising, and figuring it out himself.

Then came his second life. At eighteen, John joined the Ontario Provincial Police as a dispatcher in London in April 1965, then became a cadet in Windsor. What followed was a thirty-year policing career defined by the same discipline and tenacity he brought to the drums. Determined to get an education, he was accepted to the University of Windsor as a probationary adult student, was promoted to constable, and completed his BA in Sociology. In 1969, he received an Award of Valour from the Township of Sandwich West Police Department for his response to the scene of a domestic assault and shooting, and he was later awarded the Governor General of Canada’s Exemplary Service Medal. In 1990, he was selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, studying alongside law enforcement leaders from around the world. He rose to Superintendent with the Windsor Police Service, serving until 1996.

Most people would have called that a full career, but John wasn’t finished. He enrolled in law school and graduated with his dual JD/LLB in 1998 and began his third life, serving as an Assistant Crown Attorney for Essex County while practising law with Ken Marley, whose family became cherished friends. In 2004, he came full circle, becoming CAO and General Counsel to the Windsor Police Association, an advocate for the officers whose ranks he had once walked.

Through it all, the music never stopped. John taught hundreds of students through private lessons and drum lines. He served as a school trustee for the Greater Essex County District School Board, helped build the drum line at Bellewood Public School, and taught with the Diplomats Drum and Bugle Corps. When he retired in 2012, he began his final and perhaps favourite career: the restoration and collection of classic Ludwig drums, with more than thirty snares proudly on display. Through his “Drum Rehab” work, he refurbished kits and gave them away so that some other kid might hear a sound across the street and answer it. He refused to profit from any of it, and that was exactly the point.

His greatest pride was his family, and the beat goes on in them. The rhythm passed to his children and grandchildren in their own ways.

John was the loving father and “cutie” to his proud children Shelley Burrows, Jeff (Martina) Burrows, Brad Burrows, McKenzie Burrows, Adelaide Burrows (Ben Kinsella), and, by unanimous family agreement, most favourite child of all, his four-year-old golden doodle Lucy. He was the devoted husband of Martha Burrows, his most wonderful wife of 33 years. He was Grandpa to Alexander (Rachel), Nicholas, and Matthew Burrows; Hayden and Norissa Burrows; Mack and Colin Sparks; and his grand dogs Vivian and Abigail. He was also a beloved uncle and great-uncle to many nieces, nephews, and cousins, each of whom holds their own memory of him. He is lovingly remembered by his mother-in-law, Geraldine Glos. He was predeceased by his parents, Phyllis (Primrose) and Cameron Burrows, his father-in-law Jerry Glos, and most recently by his dearest sister, Patricia Belanger.

Just months before his passing, John shared with The Drive Magazine what he hoped his family would take from him: “I hope my family sees that tenacity pays off, that with dedication, you can achieve what you want. Music, service, and a little persistence, that’s what I hope they take from me.” He gave all three, in full measure, to everyone lucky enough to know him.

The drummer has set down his sticks, but listen closely. The rhythm carries on.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Windsor Chapel Banwell, 11677 Tecumseh Rd. E. on Thursday August 13 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm and 6:00pm until 8:00pm. Donations made in his memory to the Humane Society of Windsor or the Hospice of Windsor Essex would be appreciated.