Canada’s oldest person, Fort Erie’s Burd Sisler, dies at 110

Brent Jones
April 4, 2026 at 7:32 AM

Fort Erie resident Burd Sisler, Second World War veteran and Canada’s oldest person, has died at the age of 110.

His death on Thursday was confirmed by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 71 on Friday. According to reporting by CHCH News, Sisler died of natural causes just weeks shy of his 111th birthday.

Sisler, who called Fort Erie home for decades, was widely known in the community for his military service, long career at the border and his role as a local fixture at Legion events.

Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates stands with Burd Sisler and his family last April. Credit: Kris Dubé

Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, who described Sisler as a close friend, said his passing marks the loss of “an incredibly special person.”

“Burd was an incredible person,” Gates wrote in a social media statement. “I will miss Burd, his wisdom, his laughter, and the time we spent together. It was an honour to call him a friend.”

Sisler served in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War and later worked for about 30 years as a customs officer at the Peace Bridge.

Born in Akron, Ohio in 1915, he moved to Canada as a young child and later settled in Fort Erie, where he raised a family and remained active in the community well into his later years.

He became a local symbol of longevity and service, drawing hundreds of people to Legion Branch 71 for his 110th birthday celebration last April.

Fort Erie Radio host and Legion Branch 71 member Brenda Tyrrell recalled Sisler’s deep connection to the Legion.

“He was the only member older than the Legion itself,” Tyrrell said on Friday night. “I remember the birthday convoy they drove by his house during COVID.”

Sisler is survived by a large extended family, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a funeral service at Benner Funeral Services, according to CHCH.

Donations in Sisler’s memory are being accepted for Legion Branch 71.