gently and peacefully joining God on Monday, April 14, 2014 at his home surrounded
by his wife Kath, other loved ones and his dog, Ziva. He died after a fierce
struggle with Mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer contracted while in the
Navy. His last days were spent with loved
ones and in close contact with his many friends. His wife Kath and his dog Ziva rarely left
his side.
Jim was born on December 5, 1936 to Elizabeth Brown
Burgess and Christopher George Burgess of Noank, CT. Jim spent his early years in, on and around
the sea. This early love continued
throughout his lifetime. He introduced
many others to the charms of the ocean.
During his career, he journeyed from being a custom hand
sailmaker in Old Saybrook, CT, to being involved with wind energy, to his involvement
with nuclear energy preparing missiles for the government at United Nuclear in
Montville, CT. In retirement, he worked for C-Lab on the Cape and enjoyed many
new friendships.
Jim had the uncanny gift of being able to enter a room
full of strangers and leave with a room full of new friends.
During his illness, he was always sensitive to others
feelings and often used humor to lighten situations. His strong faith carried
him through all the difficult times. He became an awesome example of a working
faith for everyone involved with him.
Jim is survived by his wife of many years Kathleen K.
Burgess, his loving daughter Linda Burgess of Lynn, MA; his beloved
stepchildren John and Leslie Cooley, Paul and Pamela Kane, Robert and Daryl
Reid; his much loved grandchildren J. Adele Kane, Nicolas Paul Kane, Samuel
William Kane, Zachary Robert Reid, Joshua Lawrence Reid, and Caleb James Reid,
all of Indiana. He also leaves behind brothers and sisters-in-law Pete and
Linda Valera, Ben and Jean Lahti, Carol St. Pierre, Sally Snyder, Doris Harrington
as well as many loved nieces and nephews. Gunther I and II, Keena, Lilly, Ajax,
Charlie, Daphne, Scooby, Anushka, and Kolya will also miss uncle Jim very much.
Jim was predeceased by his grandmother, Lulu Terry Brown, and grandfather, James
Paul Brown, as well as his father Christopher George Burgess and mother
Elizabeth Brown Burgess.
A celebration of life service will be held at the First
Congregational Church, 200 Main Street, Wellfleet, on Saturday, April 19 at
1:00 PM with burial to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wellfleet. Flowers are
welcome as are donations to Dana Farber Cancer Institute www.dana-farber.org or
Hope Hospice of Cape Cod http://www.hopehealthco.org./James Paul Burg
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