Clinton J Burrows Jr.

Clinton grew up in Noank, Connecticut, and attended Fitch Senior High School, where he played football and golf, served as captain of the golf team, formed friendships with teammates that would last a lifetime, and, most importantly, met Gail Crouch, the young woman who would become his wife. He went on to graduate from Central Connecticut State University, where he played football for a year and was also a member of the college golf team. Sports—and golf in particular—would remain an important part of his life for decades to come.

But the most important relationship in Clinton's life began when he was very young. He and Gail married at 19 and built a life together that would span 62 years. They became parents at just 21 and, over the decades that followed, remained not only devoted husband and wife but truly best friends. Clinton adored Gail, and theirs was a rare and special marriage filled with love, companionship, laughter, family, and the pleasure of simply sharing life together.

Clinton spent 35 years as a mathematics teacher, first at Ledyard High School and later returning to Fitch High School in Groton. Teaching was more than a profession to him; it was work he genuinely loved. He taught students at many levels, including AP Calculus, but some of his greatest satisfaction came from seeing a struggling student finally understand something that had once seemed beyond reach. Even in retirement, he occasionally tutored students in math.

His influence extended well beyond the classroom. Clinton coached high school football and golf, and former players remembered him fondly long after their playing days were over. He took genuine pleasure in seeing young people succeed, whether it was a math student beginning to grasp a difficult concept or a young golfer whose game was starting to come together. After 35 years in education, he remained remarkably positive about the work and the students he served. He had found what he was meant to do with his career.

Golf was one of Clinton's great lifelong passions, and he was an exceptional player. He won the club championship at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton twice. When he and Gail retired to Plant City, Florida, it seemed only fitting that they chose to make their home on a golf course. For more than 20 years, Clinton continued playing the game he loved, while he and Gail developed a wonderful circle of golfing friends and enjoyed an active retirement together.

For all his accomplishments as a teacher, coach, and golfer, Clinton was happiest with his family. He was a loving father and a devoted grandfather who had a particular soft spot for babies and was always happy to have one in his arms. He delighted in his grandchildren and, more recently, in becoming a great-grandfather. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved the familiar rhythms and jokes of a family that had spent a lifetime together—including hearing his daughter Laurie say something to her husband that sounded suspiciously like something Gail had said to him over the years.

Clinton was also a devoted Boston Red Sox fan—so devoted, in fact, that he was known to watch Yankees games simply for the pleasure of rooting for them to lose.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Gail Burrows; his daughter, Laurie Schaeffer, and her husband, John Schaeffer; his son, Steven Burrows, and his wife, Gina Burrows; his grandchildren, Alexander Burrows, Ava Burrows, Erin Lilienthal, Dana Dugmore, Emmett Schaeffer, and Erin Schaeffer; and his great-grandson, Jay Dugmore IV. He is also survived by his siblings, Carlene Kertesz, Wendy Belair, and Wayne Burrows. He was predeceased by his sister, Dona Carr.

Clinton leaves behind a life rich in the things he valued most: a marriage that lasted nearly his entire adult life, a family he dearly loved, generations of students and athletes he encouraged, friendships formed on and off the golf course, and 82 years filled with purpose, humor, and love. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.