John Robert Burrage

John Robert Burrage passed away on April 5, 2026. He leaves his wife Lorraine (Desmarais, Speranza). He was born in 1931 in Croydon, a suburb of London in the U.K. to Robert and Lillian (Clarke) Burrage. He was educated in the U.K. and received his degree in Mechanical and Production/Manufacturing Engineering. His siblings include 2 brothers-Peter & his wife Val living in the U.K. and David and his wife Ute living in Spain. His sisters Christine and Diane and her husband live in the U.K. John has two sons-Anthony and Garrie & his wife Julie both living in the U.K. John’s grandchildren include Frederick, Charles, Prudence and (Victoria) who pre-deceased John. John has several nieces & nephews in the U.K. He also had two stepchildren, Susan Speranza who predeceased him in 2011 and John Speranza.

He survived the London Blitz during World War II (1939-1945). He served in the British Royal Navy during the Korean conflict, commissioned 1961-1965 RN Reserve. He immigrated to the USA-Boston, Mass. In 1965 and became a US citizen in 1971. During his career as a manufacturing/mechanical engineer was employed with British Aircraft Corp UK., IBM, RCA, Sylvania-GTE, Siemens, Analogic Medical, Iris Graphics and G.E.-Ion Track Instruments as a consultant.

In 1969 John became a NAUI Certified Diver, In 1973 a NAUI Instructor and in 1978 a YMCA & PADI diving instructor teaching diving in Beverly, MA. He was also a NAUI Instructor Course Director in Rockport, MA. In 1977 John was the Dive Master at the New England Aquarium Dive Club.

He and Lorraine married in September 1986 then 2 years later moved to Hampton, NH where they lived and enjoyed life for 13 years and in 2001 they retired and moved to Punta Gorda, FL to continue enjoying life.

In Punta Gorda John took an interest in community activities becoming president of Burnt Store Meadows Property Owners Association (residents there for 16 years) before moving to Burnt Store Isles. He attended all PG City Council meetings since 2004 reciting the pre-meeting invocation. Since 2006 had been a member of the Building Board, Planning Commission, Land Development Regulation Committee, City Charter Review Board, Code as Citizens Advisory Committee Member (Chairman), and South Charlotte County Coalition charter member. Also certified in CERT, Citizens Emergency Response Team.

In 2019 John received the Peggy Walters award for his efforts and noteworthy contributions to the Mobility of Charlotte County Citizens. Also in 2019 he was given the City of Punta Gorda Mayor’s Medal for Outstanding City Service. Board (Vice Chair), Board of Zoning Appeals(Chairman), County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Services for John will take place at a later date.