Scott Bursley

When reflecting on the life of Scott Bursley, words such as kind and fun-loving come to mind. Known for his loyal friendships and always having an open door to his home, Scott was a very social guy who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. A lover of nature and the outdoors, he found solace from hunting and fishing over the years. Gone too soon, Scott will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

The 1960s were characterized by great social changes. Midway through this decade in our nation’s history, The Vietnam War continued to worsen and there was great civil unrest, yet there was still promise. Exciting things were on the horizon with The St. Louis Arch being completed and The Beatles releasing four new albums. By 1965, Scott was born the youngest of four brothers to a set of loving parents in the small Midwest town of Grand Rapids. His birth brought great joy and happiness to the family home.

Growing up in the northwest part of town, Scott lived a typical childhood of the times. He instantly connected with many neighbor friends. Many of these friendship lasted throughout their growing years and a true testament to Scott’s ability to connect with others. They still enjoyed hanging out together to this day! There was never a dull moment in the Bursley household and he and his older brothers found themselves their fair share of mischief. They each enjoyed wrestling, playing baseball with other neighborhood kids, and spending a large majority of their developing years playing outside. He attended local schools and was proud to graduate with the class of 1983 from Kenowa Hills High School. Shortly after graduation, Scott found himself entering the world of work. Good with his hands, construction was a natural fit. He started out at Bramer Masonry where he remained for many years before transferring to Dematic as a welder. He always worked in the welding industry, and enjoyed working for many companies around the area over the years. Scott loved everything about tinkering with machinery including working on cars and his tractor.

Not to be forgotten was his marriage to Dawn in 1992. Although their marriage didn’t last, they were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Jessica, in April of 1994. Scott and Jessica spent a large amount of time at his parent’s home that was only three houses away! Jessica has fond memories of her time at her grandparents as well as going to the movies with her dad on Saturday nights. When she was little, she would accompany him on several fishing and hunting outings at his hunting shack in Brohman. Scott’s one and only granddaughter Harper was born in 2018. He was a fun-loving and proud grandfather who enjoyed taking Harper to the local store and letting her ride in the basket of the motorized cart. Active as well as engaging, he loved playing with Harper on the floor with balloons and toys. He thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow through every stage!

When it came to relaxation, Scott enjoyed gardening. He planted both flower and vegetable beds. He often shared his crops with area friends and neighbors. Each and every Sunday was spent at his parent’s home where the entire family gathered for lunch. Later in life, he spent time at the Lake Michigan Sports Bar and developed a large number of friends there. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer and as his illness progressed, he was unable to continue the fight. Described as strong-willed and often without a filter, his tender side showed through whenever he was spending time with Harper. He loved to enjoy conversation and good cheer and looked forward to family gatherings. May his many special friends and loved ones look back on the collection of memories he leaves behind with fondness and share his story for years to come.

Scott A. Bursley, age 56, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 11, 2021, after a battle with cancer. He was born in Grand Rapids on September 11, 1965, to Ron and Jean Bursley who have preceded him in death. Surviving are his daughter, Jessica Elzinga (Cory), and granddaughter, Harper. Scott is also survived by his brothers; Ronald, Daniel, and Patrick (Tina) Bursley. Scott had a large heart for others and was a friend to all. He will be fondly remembered for his love of nature and the outdoors. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with family on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, from 5 – 8 pm PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel (2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W. Grand Rapids MI 49504). To share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.heritagelifestory.com