OBIT # 9478 - UNKNOWN PAPER - 19 August 1948 Truro, August 19 - Nova Scotia today widely mourns the loss of one of its better known medical practitioners, Matthew George Burris , M.D. , C.M., whose death occurred suddenly yesterday evening at Dartmouth as a result of a heart attack. Greatly respected by the citizens of the town of Dartmouth where he had practiced his profession for 36 years, Dr. Burris was 61 years of age. He had been very active in promoting the Dartmouth Memorial Hospital Fund of which he was one of the originators. His death came as a great shock to his family, friends and associates, as he had just rallied after a period of two weeks during which he had been seriously ill. He had been actively engaged in his medical practice up until the time of his illness. Born at Upper Musquodoboit , February 28, 1887, he attended Truro Academy , continuing his studies at Dalhousie University where he obtained his B.A. degree in 1907. He graduated in medicine from Dalhousie in 1911. Upon graduation he practiced for a short time at Kamloops, BC, returning east in 1912 to establish his practice in Dartmouth. He was on the staff of the Victoria General Hospital and the staff of Dalhousie University for a time, and was a staff physician at the Halifax Infirmary at the time of his death. A valued member of the congregation of St. James United Church, Dr. Burris had an intense interest in town affairs, was a charter member of the Dartmouth Memorial Hospital Fund, and had served on its board of directors since the fund's inception. Keenly interested in sports, he was a member of the Brightwood Golf Club. During his college days he was a star member and team captain of the glorious Dalhousie senior rugby team of 1909 which was one of the greatest teams in the history of the University. A member of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, he travelled extensively in the province taking a keen interest in its history, writing many short stories based on Nova Scotia lore. He was a former president of the Halifax Medical Society, a member of the Nova Scotia Medical Society and the Canadian Medical Society. He is survived by his wife , the former Fay Rutherford; one daughter Margaret of Dartmouth, two brothers Adam of Upper Musquodoboit and Frank of Truro; four sisters Miss Grace D. Burris, Upper Musquodoboit, Mrs Hugh Campbell, Middle Stewiacke, Mrs William Coburn, Mouth of Keswick, York County, N.B. and Mrs Adam Dean, Upper Musquodoboit. Funeral arrangements will be announced.