Byrd Morgenstein

He was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 25, 1936, the son of the late Harry and Bella (Bryck) Morgenstein of Colchester, Connecticut. He married his soulmate Victoria (Percy) Labbe on June 2,1987, in Palm Bay, Florida. Burt served in the Connecticut U.S. Army National Guard during the Korean War Era.

Though he held many jobs, his time cooking at Burt’s Dinner in Norwich, Connecticut was fondly remembered by many. Burt had an adventurous spirit that led him to learn many vocations. Before Burt’s Diner there was Burt’s Texaco and Burt’s TV Service.This same spirit of adventure frequently led him to pack his family in a car or camper to go dine at far flung restaurants or romp in theme parks. Burt was a talented tinkerer who fixed countless vehicles, appliances and toys for his family. He was also an accomplished cook. His food was heartily enjoyed by many when he cooked both for an occupation at FIT and Buena Vida Estates and for leisure for his family and friends. Burt was a generous and loving father, grandfather, and friend. He was well known to all for his helpful and humorous nature. Burt was always quick to share a joke and bring laughter to those who knew him as well as those who met him in a brief crossing of paths.

Burt is survived by his sisters, his two daughters by first wife, Marianne Labbe and two sons: Betty Gitt of California and Fay Sherman of Connecticut, Carlene Mazarelli and husband, Robert of Connecticut and Penny Dermody and husband, Terence of Connecticut, and Jeffrey Labbe and wife, Kim of Palm Bay, and Clifford Labbe Jr. and wife, Jaime of Vero Beach. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Jesse Mazarelli and wife, Christie, George Benjamin, Justin Benjamin, Jake Benjamin, Dylan Benjamin, Jeremy Dermody, Joshua Labbe and wife, Jenna, Zachary Labbe, Meghan Hansen and husband, Brandon, Dylan Roy-Labbe and wife, Remi, Angelina Labbe, Nieko Labbe, and six great-grandchildren: Jackson Mazarelli, Cameron Dermody, Madison Dermody, Adeline Labbe, Hunter Roberts, and Kai Roy Labbe. Burt’s beloved wife of 37 years preceded him in death in January of 2024. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Martin Morgenstein and Jerome Morgenstein and his daughter, Donna Benjamin.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 -11:00 a.m, service will follow at 11:00am on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Fountainhead Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7303 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay. Following the 12:00pm graveside service, family and friends are invited to celebrate Burt's life at the American Legion Post #117, 189 Veteran’s Drive SE, Palm Bay, Florida, until 3:30 pm.