MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
St. Peter's Anglican Church
240 College St., Cobourg
St. Peter's Anglican Church
240 College St., Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Surrounded by his closest family members, who dearly loved him, Birk passed on peacefully, freed from the chains of ALS. After a very short stay at Ed's House, where he was treated with dignity, love and respect, we are left to celebrate and remember his life:
His loving partner, Melissa Morrison and her sons, Daniel and Caleb (Chevelle):
His beloved parents, Dixie and John Winkworth;
His brother Devon (Liz) and their children Courtney (Dean), Olivia (Pat), and Cayden (Darci);
His sister Alyssa McCallum (John O’Brien), and her children, Dane (Alisa), Alex (Ava), Elli (Cole), and Caden and Kennedy O’Brien.
Never to be forgotten by his Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary Winkworth and his Aunt Carol Brown, and his cousins Troy, Christina (Iain), and Charlene (Travis).
Remembered fondly by his Godmother Nancy Hall, honorary in laws Carole and Larry Morrison, extended family, his colleagues and friends.
Visitation will occur at MacCoubrey’s Funeral Home on Friday, January 30th, 6 – 8 p.m.
The service is to be held at The Church of St. Peter, Cobourg, on Saturday, January 31st, at 11:30 a.m.
Thank you to everyone who stood beside our family with kindness, messages, and love throughout Birk’s journey. A special and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Cameron and the compassionate staff at Ed’s House for their extraordinary care and support.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Birk’s memory may be made to Ed’s House, St. Peter’s Church, or ALS Research (Sunnybrook Hospital).
So sorry to hear of Birkley’s passing. Our deepest condolences to both John and Dixie as well as Birkley’s family.
Sorry very sorry for your loss, your family has my deepest sympathy . My thoughts and prayers are with you.
John, Dixie, Melissa and family. I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved son and partner. May wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.
Melissa, I was so sorry to hear of the recent loss of your partner. I'm at a loss for the proper words but you are in my thoughts at this sad time in your life.
John, Dixie and family. Our sincere condolences on your loss of Birkley. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may the good memories help you through this difficult time. Julius and Louise
John, Dixie, Devon & Alyssa & family. I want to offer my sincere condolences to you at this time. There’s nothing worse than losing a child, however Birk has left you so many cherished memories to reflect back on. He will always be with you all as you continue your journey of life.
My sincere condolences to all the Winkworth family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this very sad time.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ALS Research at Sunnybrook Medical Centre
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ALS Research at Sunnybrook Medical Centre
So very sad to hear of Birks passing. My thoughts a prayers are with his whole family during such a difficult time.
Dear Melissa, Caleb and Daniel, Bob and I were so sad to hear of Birk's passing. We send you our love and pray that the love you shared with Birk will always be with you. Love to you all Bob and Heather Hardie
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
St. Peter's Anglican Church
Please accept my sincere condolences at this sad and difficult time. May you be surrounded and strengthened by the love of family and friends. Remembering you in prayer with love and sympathy, Diane
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
Melissa & family, so sorry to hear of Birk's passing. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Dixie and John, Melissa, Devon and Alyssa. My sympathy on the passing of Birkley. May you find comfort in the love and support of those around you and strength in the cherished memories you hold close.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
I’m so sorry for your loss. Even though it’s been a number of years since I last spoke with Birkley, I have many memories from school and was really saddened to hear this. I fondly remember Birkley as a gentle, quiet person with a killer smile and a wonderful sense of humour. Hopefully all the cherished memories you have of him will help you during this time of healing.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ALS Research at Sunnybrook Medical Centre
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
St. Peter's Anglican Church
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ALS Research at Sunnybrook Medical Centre
John, Dixie, Devon, Alyssa and Melissa - we were so saddened to hear of Birk's passing but glad that he no longer has to suffer from the ravages of ALS. Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you. May your memories of Birk help you through this difficult time. sincerely Bryan and Roberta
Dear John, Dixie, Devon, Alyssa, Melissa and the entire Winkworth family, We have known your family since we arrived to this area. What a loss to your loving and caring family. We thought Birk was the quiet one until we got to know him better. His sense of humour and his smile bring back fond memories. We cant imagine your loss and Birk's battle with ALS. Know that many people were impacted by Birk and he always put a smile on people's faces. The loss of a loved one, especially one so young, must be even more difficult. Please know that you are surrounded by your many friends. Cherish the memories and keep them close to your heart. Sincere condolences to you and your entire family. Birkley Sanford Winkworth April 15, 1968 - January 22, 2026 "Rest in Peace"
My deepest Condolences to all.
How sadden I was to hear of Birk's passing..He always had a smile and always a kind word. Condolences to all whom he loved
Dixie and John One of the hardest life’s happenings is loosing a child regardless of age. Our heart goes out to you. Lenna and Allan
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
We were deeply saddened to hear of your dear Birk’s passing.. We send our love and prayers to all of you. May God’s peace surround you at this most difficult time,
Dear John and family. My heart is saddened to read of the passing of Birkley. As you make your way through the days ahead, may your memories fill your hearts with love, ease your sadness, and bring you comfort and peace. With sympathy Dawna Wakely
Dear Dixie, John, Devon & Alyssa We are so saddened to hear of Birkley's passing. "Those we love, don't go away." They walk beside us every day......" Pat & Carol
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
Dixie ,John and the Winkworth family, I am sorry to learn of the loss of your son Birkley, we extend our sympathy to you at this time. Barry and Carolynn Simpson
Dear Winkworth Family….I was very saddened to hear of Birkleys passing. As a teenager and neighbour across the road I was always very happy to babysit your three children. They were very respectful and well behaved so it was always a pleasure and so much fun. I haven’t seen Birkley since he was a child but from the messages of condolence from family & friends it’s evident that he grew up to be a respected and much loved adult that will be greatly missed. May your family take great comfort from that and from your cherished memories. Thinking of you all.
So sorry to hear of Birk’s passing. Our thoughts are with all his family at this difficult time.
To the whole Winkworth family my deepest sympathy. I have lots of memories growing up beside you.
To the Beautiful Winkworth Family, My Deepest Sympathy on Your loss, May God Bless, and be near all of You at this time. Marcia Atkinson
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your son.Thinking of you and the family at this sad time.
John, Dixie and family, We are thinking of you at this time. The loss of a child is devastating and never easy to accept. Sending our heartfelt sympathy and condolences on the loss of your son and brother. Remember the good times and treasure all the wonderful years you shared with Birk. Memories give comfort and last forever Bill & Sharon
Thinking of your family and this tragic loss. You have our sincere condolences. Rin & Sheila Peters
With sincere condolences with the loos of your son Birkley and to his extended family ,praying for comfort for you all at this very difficult time 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Jojn and Dixie. I am very sorry for your loss, my prayers be with you.
My sincere condolences to Dixie, John, and family. It is difficult to lose a child but also difficult to watch them struggle with discomfort and pain. Trust that God's plan is in place and He will provide comfort to you at this most difficult time.
This one hits hard. Birk and I had soooo many laughs, working together at Columbus McKinnon. His sense of humor was A-1. Heaven is probably rejoicing at his home coming. To us, here, he will be dearly missed.
Sending hugs and love to your family at this difficult time. Cherish all the good memories that you's have shared and hold them close to your hearts. Wendy and Rick
John, Dixie, and family & especially Melissa and Daniel & Caleb: My condolences to each of you on your loss of Birkley, "a loved one, gone too soon". He will be so missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My condolences to Birk’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of working with Birk for many years at Northumberland County - always a smile; always a happy guy.
My condolences to the entire Winkworth family. Such a loss of such a young life.
John, Dixie, and family. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Birk. He was always able to make me smile and bring joy to the Buttemilk Cafe even on the hardest of days. I think of you all often and am so sorry for your loss. Love Lynn xo
Mr. and Mrs. Winkworth , I am so sorry to hear of your son's passing. May he rest in peace now. My thoughts and prayers are with you both as well as your family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
Dear John ,Dixie and family, So sorry to hear of Birkley's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this very sad time. Bless you all.
Dear John, Dixie, Alyssa, Devon and families. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I worked for John at Wildwood Paradigm Travel many years ago and that is where I met Birk. It was a life taken much too soon but obviously he was loved and very well respected. May your memories give you comfort.
So sorry to hear of your sons passing our condolences to all your family may he rest in peace
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
St. Peter's Anglican Church
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ALS Research at Sunnybrook Medical Centre
Dixie, John, Devon, and Alyssa - We are deeply saddened to hear of Birk's passing. Sending you strength to get through this difficult time. Lee-Anne & Kip
John, Dixie , Alyssa & family. So sorry to hear about Birk.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
Dearest Paul, Mary, Christina, Charlene, Alyssa, and the rest of the Winkworth Family I don’t know personally but know to be amazing people: please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Birk. From what I have heard about him through the years, it is truly a detriment to me that I never met him. May his humour and integrity live on in all of you who loved him. “A life well loved is a life well lived”, and you should be proud that your nephew, cousin, brother, son, and uncle both loved and lived life to the fullest. May your fondest memories of Birk help bring a smile to your face and help you navigate the difficult time ahead.
To John,Dixie and family I am so sorry to read of the passing of your son.You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Sending thoughts and hugs to all who knew and loved Birk… His presence will be dearly missed, but the smiles he inspired will last a long time… 💕🙏🏼💕
We send our deepest condolences and love to our Canadian family at such a sad and difficult time. We pray that you will know comfort and peace beyond yourselves. As my dear Dad would have said ‘Birk, rest in peace and rise in glory’. (From the English family)
To all the Winkworth family and to Melissa and your children, I am very sorry for the loss of Birk. We were in the same year at Cobourg DCI West and shared laughs in music class, band practice, the library and the cafeteria. We reconnected over some tech issues I was having a few years ago and he shared a tiny bit of his extensive knowledge with me. He was a really good man. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mr and Mrs Winkworth, Devon, Alyssa - I have great memories of the many summers that Devon, Birk, Alyssa and I spent playing together as kids. Although Birk was usually better at all the games we played, Devon, Alyssa and I would never admit it. But Birk always smiled and laughed anyways. So very sorry for your loss. I send hugs and love to you all.
Our heart felt condolences. With the loss of your son. Xo
Our deepest condolences and sympathies to the entire Winkworth family. Although our paths have not crossed in many years, there was a time when we were close friends. Birkley was always at his happiest when he could make someone laugh. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. A donation has been made in Birk's memory to Ed's House in Cobourg.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
John Dixie and family. So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you all . Janet
To all the Winkworth families, please accept my condolences on your loss of Birkley. Keep your memories close.
Dixie, John, Melissa & family, Sincere condolences and warm hugs to you all, I know your hearts are full of beautiful memories 💜🌺
Dear John, Dixie and family, we were so very sorry to hear of your loss. Our sympathy to you and yours.
Sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories.
RIP Birk. Our deepest condolences to Birk’s family.
Our deepest sympathy to all.
John & Dixie & family very sorry for your loss Paul & Mary very sorry for your loss my prayers are with you all
John & Dixie & family very sorry for loss Paul & Mary very sorry for you loss my prayers are with you all
I want to take a moment to remember Burke. He was our go-to computer guy, always ready to fix a problem—but more than that, he brought a quiet humor and a quirky charm that made everyone smile. Soft-spoken, kind, and endlessly patient, Burke had a way of making the workplace feel a little brighter. Everybody loved him, and it’s easy to see why. We’ll miss his presence, his jokes, and the way he made even the smallest moments feel special.
To Birks’ Family and many friends, my heartfelt condolence's. I had the pleasure to work with Birk during his early time of employment at the County and I want to say it was a pleasure.
Paul,Mary & Winkworth Family Sorry for your loss, Cherish the memories. Condolences Eva Ann
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ALS Research at Sunnybrook Medical Centre
So very sorry for your loss please except my condolences. Michelle Baxter
Our condolences Dixie and John. We are thinking of you and your family in this hard time. Sending hugs to both of you.
To the Winkworth family, sending my deepest condolences. Thinking of you all.
Dixie,John and Family Please except my sincere condolences on your loss of Birkley. May your memories sustain you through this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathies to the Winkworth family for the loss of Birkley.
Rest peacefully in the arms of the angels
Dixie and John. We are so sorry to hear about your son. Our thoughts are with you. Bill and June Everden
John & Dixie, Very sorry to hear of your loss.
Dixie and John, Alyssa, Devon, and Melissa, I’m so sorry for your loss. Birk was truly one of a kind. His genuine good nature and keen sense of humour made him a pleasure to work with, and a true friend to so many. I’m so grateful to have worked alongside him for many years. Sincerely, Shelley Munroe
Dear Dixie, John and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy. Birkley fought a courageous battle against such a cruel disease. He is remembered with love.
My heartfelt condolences to all Birks family! Birk was a great guy and I always enjoyed talking to him when he’d come in to where I worked at the time. Always chipper and such a sweetheart! Melissa’s sole mate! When you’d mention either name in conversation, the others eyes would light up! ❤️ My mom, Terry Brooks would also like to give her condolences to John and Dixie on Birkleys (as mom called him) passing He truly will be missed by many!
To John, Dixie and all of Birkley's family... Heather and I were very sad to hear of Birkley's passing - he had obviously suffered from a very difficult medical condition, and we must hope that he is now at rest and at peace. The death of one of our children is not the normal order of things, and this can make the feeling of loss to be somewhat overwhelming. But I am sure you are surrounded by the love of your family, and we hope you are comforted by the sincere expressions of sympathy that we all feel for you. All the best to you and yours. Brad Halls Fergus, Ontario
Dixie, John, Alyssa and family, Sending you all my deepest sympathies on the passing of Birkley. Treasure the memories and laughter and keep telling his stories and he will live on forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rest in peace Birkley.
Dear John Dixie and family. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Birk. Our deepest sympathy Tony and Carol Farren
Dear John and Dixie and family, My deepest condolences on the loss of Birk. I always enjoyed his sense of humour and kindness. My whole family is saddened by this loss. Sincerely Linda F,
John and Dixie, sorry to hear about Birkley’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul & John and your families My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. So very sorry for your loss. Cherish your memories Ron
Melissa, I am so sorry for your loss. He was truly blessed to have you and your boys by his side. Thinking of you and his family during this difficult time. 🙏😞
My sincerest condolences to his friends and family. Burke was always cheery at work. He always had a smile He will be missed by many
John, Dixie and Family With my deepest sympathy on Birk's passing. May the wonderful memories of his lifetime help you through the sadness of his passing.
John, Dixie, and Alyssa My sincere condolences to you and all of your family. Thinking of you during this time.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Birk’s passing. While words can never fully capture the loss, I hope you can take some comfort in knowing he left this world surrounded by love and freed from the suffering of ALS. Birk’s strength, courage, and the deep love shared among his family will always be part of his legacy. The care and dignity he received, especially in his final days, speaks to how profoundly he was cherished. May the many memories you hold bring you comfort in the days ahead. Please know that our thoughts are with Melissa, Daniel, Caleb, and the entire family during this incredibly difficult time. Wishing you peace, strength, and moments of gentle remembrance as you celebrate Birk’s life. With heartfelt sympathy, Mike and Brenda Banks
Alyssa, Dixie, John & family, we are so sorry for the loss of your brother, son and Uncle. Thinking of all of you at this sad time. Hugs to you all xo
I'm so sorry to read of Birks passing.. we knew the girls from playing ball & of course John & Dixie from teaching but didn't know Birk. A lovely family! Cherish your memories. He was loved!
Our sincerest condolences go out to you all at this time of great loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. My condolences.