BIOGRAPHY

Burdett Sisler was born in Akron, Ohio, USA, on 14 April 1915. Sisler came to Canada at the age of three and settled in what is now known as Etobicoke. He grew up there and fondly remembered playing softball with his friends.

Sisler served in the Second World War. He first joined the armed forces in 1943, serving with the Legion Horse Artillery before transferring to the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers unit, from which he was honorably discharged in 1946. After the war, he worked with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the Peace Bridge, dedicating nearly 30 years to the role. He and his family moved to Fort Erie in 1947. At the time, it was just the three of them—his wife, their daughter, and himself. They went on to have four more children in the years that followed. His five children were: Norm, Betti, Sharon, Lorraine, and Burdett. His wife Mae passed away in 1985.

Even at the age of 100, he remained active in the community, participating in various clubs and serving as treasurer for both the Dandelion Group and the Harmony Hill Group. He continued driving until the age of 99, having first taken the wheel in 1936. When asked to share his greatest piece of advice, he said, “Don’t take life to seriously, and don’t stress yourself out. Roll with the punches is what I say.” In early 2020, he was hospitalized with pneumonia but was released in March. On his 105th birthday, a drive-by parade was held in front of his home to celebrate the occasion.

At the time of his 110th birthday, he had 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 12 February 2025, following the passing of 109-year-old Albert Middleton, he became the oldest living man in Canada, at the age of 109 years, 304 days.

His age was verified by Eli Logan, and validated by LongeviQuest on 22 April 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Fort Erie’s Burd Sisler marks 100 years” – Niagara This Week, 16 April 2015

* “Remembrance Day brings 107-year-old veteran and great-grandson closer together” – CBC, 11 November 2022

* “Fort Erie celebrates Canada’s oldest man Burd Sisler on 110th birthday” – Fort Erie Radio, 13 April 2025

GALLERY