James Alexander Burrill, born September 18, 1935, flew his last flight on May 11, 2025. Jim made his living as a pilot, flying high in the sunlit clouds; his ashes will ride the breeze forevermore.
Born in Burgessville, Ontario, Canada and raised on his family’s farm in North Norwich Township, Oxford County Ontario, Jim was an accomplished young athlete, and a great protector of his sister. He had dreamed of being a pilot from his earliest years, and as he looked up from his field work in the 1940s and saw planes in the sky practicing war maneuvers, he promised himself he would become a pilot.
Jim left the family farm in 1955 to join the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he designed his unit’s slogan, badge, and patch that read “Seek and Save,” which is still in use for the 103rd squadron to this day. Jim was a Flight Lieutenant when he left the Air Force and had been in two squadrons, the 103rd Rescue and 102nd Transport.
After his service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Jim began flying for United Airlines in 1967 and retired from United as a Captain in 1995.
Jim enjoyed traveling around the world, his membership in the First Presbyterian Church in Wooster, Ohio, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Secrest Arboretum, and spending time in the company of his family. Jim initiated the creation of the Memorial Garden at his church and spent many Sundays singing in the choir. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nellie and Cecil Burrill, brother Lawrence “Skip” Burrill, stepson Richard Blackledge Jr. and the mother of his four children, Melva Strong Burrill.
Jim is survived by wife Monica, siblings Agnes Burrill Little (Douglas), Graham (Anne) all of Ontario Canada, his children Laureen Burrill Carpenter of Ashland Ohio, Deana Burrill Chupp (Stephen) of Denver, Colorado, Tracey Burrill (Thomas Hedemann) of Cheshire, Connecticut, Jeffrey Burrill (Julia Warnes) of Huron, Ohio, step children Amy Myers (Mitchell) of Cape Carteret, North Carolina , Michael Blackledge (Angelia) of Westerville, Ohio, and 14 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and wonderful friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church 621 College Ave., Wooster with Pastor David Rice officiating.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
The family requests that In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to the music department at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air ….
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand,and touched the face of God.
“High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee, RCAF
Monica,Amy & Mike …..I am very saddened to read the passing of James.I met him a few times at Tom & Hope’s 4of July cookouts & as Mrs Clause With Santa a couple Family Christmas party….. Danny & I are sending HEALING THOUGHTS, HEALING PRAYERS AND HEALING VIBES……May JESUS CHRIST hold your family in his loving Caring gentle arms & comfort you all during this rough path here on Earth….GOD BLESS ALL of YOU
Laureen, we are so sorry for you and your family’s loss. The tribute to your Dad was so impressive, what a wonderful life he led. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May your Dad fly high ✈️ Love
you ❤️ 🙏
I’ve known Jim since our days of flying out of Cleveland when United Airlines opened the pilot base. After we retired we would get together every month with other retired UAL pilots for lunch. I hope you all will join me that the next time you have a drink to face west and raise your glass to Jim for flying west.
Monica, JoAnn and I share your grief at the lost of a great guy. Please take some comfort in knowing Jim will still live in our hearts. I hope you will continue to come to our luncheons.
I’d like to include a poem about “Flying West” written by TWA Captain Michael J. Larkin.
I hope there’s a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die
A place where a guy can go and buy a cold beer
For a friend and comrade, whose memory is dear;
A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,
Nor management type would ere be caught dead;
Just a quaint little place, kinda dark and full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;
The kind of place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their planning is finished, and their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And the songs about flying and dying are sung,
Where you’d see all the fellows who’d flown west before.
And they’d call out your name, as you came through the door;
Who would buy you a drink if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, “He was quite a good lad!”
And then through the mist, you’d spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he taught you how to fly.
He’d nod his old head, and grin ear to ear, And say,
“Welcome, my son, I’m pleased that you’re here.
“For this is the place where true flyers come,
”When the journey is over, and the war has been won
“They’ve come here to at last to be safe and alone
From the government clerk and the management clone,
”Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise
Where the hours are happy, and these good ol’boys
”Can relax with a cool one, and a well-deserved rest;
“This is Heaven, my son — you’ve passed your last test!”
Captain John & JoAnn Pinter
So sorry about Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Laureen, and Deana, and all your family, my heartfelt sympathies to you in the passing of your Dad. May your memories bring you comfort and peace. Susan McIlvaine
Dear Monica,
I am just reading of Jim’s passing. I am sorry for your loss and for our loss. Jim was a fine man. We remember him standing on the bridge with Dave as we boated north with you both. He loved being out in the breeze and talking a little bit and smelling the fresh air.
To my dear friend Monica, we are so sorry for the loss of Jim! May your heart be softened with time!
Jim was always a friend, and if I haven’t seen him much over the last few years as Robin and I left Wooster, the fact that he was still with us when we did get to town and to church was always a joy.
God has prepared a place for Jim and has gathered him to His heart. May you know peace amid your sorrow.
Laureen, Deana, Tracey, and Jeff:
I am so truly sorry to learn of your father’s passing. He was an amazing guy-smart, funny, talented, and a doer.
He loved you four so hugely, you were lights for him and he spoke of you often in such a loving way…with his wry sense of humor!
Yes, he loved to fly, but he was most honored to be a father and grandfather.
My prayers are with you four.