GRANBY -William “Boppa” Thomas Burgess, 91, of Granby, CT beloved husband for 60 years of the late Lois May (Black) Burgess, passed away suddenly on Monday, January 5, 2015. Born in Wingdale, NY on June 28, 1923, son of the late Archibald and Edith (Murphy) Burgess, he was raised in Wingdale, NY and attended all of his schooling in a one room school house in the town. As a young man, William trained as a brick mason under his father. He learned how to construct homes, chimneys, walkways, and walls and this began a lifetime love of working with his hands. William volunteered with his brother to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the Pacific theater on the battleship USS Alabama and after his honorable discharge he returned to Wingdale, NY. After marrying Lois, the young couple moved to California to be closer to her family and settled in the town of Belmont where William bought a piece of land and built his first home. He took a job with United Airlines as a mechanic and worked at the San Francisco Airport. He later accepted a transfer to Bradley Airport in Connecticut in 1960 and William moved with his family to Granby, CT where he built another home. He continued to work for United Airlines and retired as a lead mechanic in 1981 after over 30 years of service. In his spare time and during his retirement, William enjoyed working in his yard, flying his Cessna out of Simsbury Airport, doing leather work, and working on his Model A Roadster, Model A Coupe, and classic Mercedes Benz. William was very proud of his military service and always wore his USS Alabama hat. He was a proud member of Shannon-Shattuck Post #182 American Legion in Granby, CT. Most of all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who loved to tell stories and reminisce with his family and friends. He was a longtime member of South Congregational Church in Granby, CT. He leaves a son, Thomas E. Burgess of Lake County, CA; a daughter, Christine A. DeGray of Granby, CT; a sister, June Ann Emerson of Dover Plains, NY; four grandchildren, Teresa Mikan of Southwick, MA, Jeffrey Burgess of Middletown, Deborah McCracken and her husband Ian of Avon, CT, and Rebecca Malley and her husband Robert of Granby, CT; 10 great grandchildren, Jared Candelari, Joshua Mikan, James, Justin, and Kaleigh Burgess, Paige and Brynn McCracken, and Spencer, Chester, and Adelynn Malley. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by two brothers, Winfield Burgess and Howard Jacobs; a sister, Florence Schlafer; and a son-in-law, Richard DeGray. His family will receive friends on Sunday, January 11, 2-5 p.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby, CT. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 12, 11 a.m., at the South Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook St., Granby, CT. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shannon-Shattuck Post #182, American Legion, 244 North Granby Rd., Granby, CT 06035. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
