Richard F. ‘Dick’ Burgess
PELHAM Richard F. ‘Dick’ Burgess, 66, of Pelham, a longtime Dracut resident, died Thursday, January 23, 2014, at Hospice House of Haverhill, after a valiant seven month battle with brain cancer. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (McKeon) Burgess for the past Forty Four years. A son of the late Francis and the late Rita (O’Brien) Burgess, he was born May 29, 1947, in Lowell, and was educated in the Dracut School System, graduating from Dracut High School. In 1965, he
joined the United States Air Force. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Dracut.
Mr. Burgess was a proud member of the Lowell Fire Department for thirty two years, serving mostly at the Branch Street Firehouse, Engine Two. After his retirement, he worked for Pride Star Ambulance, and also worked with the McDonough Funeral Home throughout the years.
A devoted member of St. Francis Parish in Dracut, he was an Altar Server and volunteer for the Parish. He also was active in the ACTS retreat program as well as the Cursillo Movement and prison ministry through St. Basil Salvatorian Center in Methuen.
Dick cherished time spent with his family, especially with his grandchildren, and was an avid New England Sports Fan.
Besides his wife, Barbara, he is survived by his three children, Sean Burgess and his wife, Terresa, of Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Burgess and his wife, Chelcy, of Meridian, ID, and Jessica Smith and her husband, Tim, of Dracut; his grandchildren, Julia Smith, Norah Smith, and Evelyn Smith, Logan Burgess and Brayden Burgess, and Teagan Burgess; his siblings, Paul H. Burgess and his wife, Kathryn, of Dracut, Linda M. Vieira and her husband, Ronald, of Tyngsboro, Charles J. Burgess and his wife, Susan, of Chelmsford, Frank R. Burgess Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Windham, NH, Brian J. Burgess and his wife, Tammy, of Dracut, Wayne J. Burgess and his wife, Debra, of Dracut, Lance M. Burgesss and his wife, Doreen, of Lowell, and Mark A. Burgess and his wife, Jill, of Coconut Creek, FL; his brothers and sisters in
law, James McKeon and his wife, Donna, of Tewksbury, Kevin McKeon and his wife, Michelle, of Dracut, Maureen McKeon of San Francisco, CA, and Martha Steinke and her husband, Sid, of Cincinatti, OH; several nieces and nephews, aunts uncles, cousins and friends.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 2 UNTIL 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY, JAN 26. ON MONDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. FRANCIS CHURCH, 115 WHEELER RD., DRACUT, AT 11 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO ST. FRANCIS PARISH BUILDING FUND, PO BOX 609, DRACUT MA 01826. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
