Recent News
Flatts fuel spillage poses negligible riskTuesday, October 31, 2017
A fuel spill at the Rubis gas station in Flatts Village poses a negligible risk to the environment, according to experts.
‘Citizen Scientists’ Health Check Bermuda Reefs
Friday, October 27, 2017
For the fifth consecutive year, the Bermuda Zoological Society event REEF Watch trained teams of corporate professionals, teenagers and families to conduct coral reef surveys, fish counts and assessments of our reef ecosystem.
Global Indemnity Re Donates To Local Charities
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art has praised Global Indemnity Re for their annual charitable giving programme after the arts and education organization was one of four local charities awarded.
Project reveals turtles are on the move
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Almost 200 turtles were plucked from the island’s waters this August as the Bermuda Turtle Project continued its conservation work.
Dr. Wingate On “Man’s Impact On Bermuda”
Saturday, October 21, 2017
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute [BUEI] and Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] are getting set to present “Man’s Impact on Bermuda” with Dr. David Wingate on Thursday, October 26, beginning at 7.00pm.
About
GovernanceAbout Us
Board of Directors
Contact Us
Newsletter
Latest News
Gift & Bookstore
Contact
General Inquiries
info@bzs.bm
Latest News
All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
By Sarah Lagan
Published Nov 16, 2014 at 1:25 pm (Updated Nov 17, 2014 at 12:06 am)
Dr Neil Burnie's funeral at Western Blue Cut (Photo by Sarah Lagan)
Dr Neil Burnie has been laid to rest, with his body placed in the water 600 fathoms deep at Western Blue Cut yesterday afternoon.
More than 100 boats gathered too see the much loved veterinarian and ocean activist “return to the sea”.
A plane circled the sea burial, dropping streams of flowers into the water as mourners threw wreaths and bouquets of flowers overboard.
The Burnie funeral procession to Dockyard (Photo by Sarah Lagan)
Boat horns sounded in celebration of his life and his friends from the Ocean Vet team hurled his trusted harmonica into the sea to great applause.
Taking off from Albuoys Point just after 10am, the procession made its way to Grays Bridge for a ceremony. Opening with bagpipes by Davey Armstrong, Dr Burnie’s brother, Jonathan, took to the microphone aboard The Explorer where the coffin lay.
Burnie’s boat with shark logo and Ocean Vet team (Photo by Sarah Lagan)
He described their family life and Dr Burnie’s love of animals from a very early age, leading him into a prestigious career as a veterinarian. He described his brother as a master fisherman, a musician, an actor, doctor and motorbike enthusiast. “That’s where his need for speed came from,” he said.
Dr Burnie’s son, Oscar Deuss, spoke of Neil as “a father, role model, mentor, best friend and my hero”.
He said the time they spent filming the Ocean Vet series with Dr Burnie at the helm was the one of the best experiences of his life.
Graham Pewter, a band member with Bones, for whom Dr Burnie sang and played saxophone, recalled how Dr Burnie once told him he was difficult to live with. But Mr Pewter said: “It will be more difficult to live without him.”
He described Dr Burnie’s best characteristics. “He was brutally honest, fearless, demanding, abrasive, an irresistible force,” he said. “Bye bye, my blues brother.”
Dr Burnie’s sister, Judith Sweetman, was officiating for her brother and recalled his mischievous nature and love of nature.
The procession made its way to Western Blue Cut, a favourite snorkel spot for the family, then a plane flew overhead and rained down flowers on the burial site.
Dr Neil Burnie leaves his wife Katrin, children Oscar and Kim and siblings Jonathan and Judith.