Joseph "Nick" Nicholas Burton, Jr.

Joseph Nicholas “Nick” Burton, Jr., age 81, died peacefully at home in Wilmington on July 19, 2023. He was born in Leechburg, PA in 1941 to Joseph Nicholas Burton, Sr. and Pearl Evaline Burton, the fifth of six children.

After graduating from Leechburg High School in 1959, he moved to Philadelphia to make his way in the world. There he discovered a love for the bustle of city life. He soon met Rosemary Hanna (and her large family). They married in September 1963 and started their family the following year.

He began working for Ford Motor Company which eventually took the family to northern New Jersey and later Michigan. At age 54, after 30 years at Ford, he retired, and he and Rosemary moved to Wilmington, where Nick began a new chapter as a landscape gardener. He loved working outside and bringing his love of plants and flowers to others. At that time, Nick and Rosemary also joined Immaculate Conception Church where they made many good friends.

Nick was an avid golfer, a lover of birds and animals, and a diehard UNCW Seahawk basketball fan.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosemary, their children, Jennifer Burton, David Burton (Chelsea Render), Richard Burton (Maria), Beth Zoppa (Joey), and Monica Burton (Michael Corbett); their grandchildren, Wayne Pitts, Evan Pitts, Marryl Kauffman, Gwynyth Canete, Nicholas Burton, and Lucas Burton; as well as brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends, and his cat, Ernie, all of whom will miss him greatly.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters Patricia Venesky, Dorothy Dalena, Jane Collins, and Barbara Burton, and his brother, James Burton.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 to 6 pm Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, S College Rd, Wilmington. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 am Friday, August 25, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 6650 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable contribution in Nick’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Special Olympics.

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