Thomas W. Burgess

Thomas William Burgess, born August 24, 1926, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning, January 27, 2018. He was the son of Charles Francis and Reinoldy (Rhomberg) Burgess. In 1945, Tom married the love of his life, Theresa Mary Zilonis (predeceased) and had a memorable 49 years of marriage. Together they created the Burgess family, consisting of seven children, 20 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Tom's passion was farming and he owned and operated the Burgess Farm in Dracut, Massachusetts for the majority of his life. Waking up at the crack of dawn every morning to milk the cows, he loved telling stories of the days he delivered milk door to door, giving wagon and sleigh rides, haying the fields of Dracut, growing and selling vegetables, and fishing at Baker River. At a stellar 91 years of age, he remembered everything and could tell you more about the past than any history class could offer. In his younger days, in between farming, he worked as a bus driver and was a firefighter saving many lives. Both of his brothers served in the war, yet he was the one who got shot driving a school bus from a hunter's stray bullet. Recreationally, he trained Standardbred horses and loved traveling to Rockingham and Scarborough to race them. He had many winners.

When Tom retired, he moved to Durham, NH with his daughter Cheryl and her family. He loved having a garden, making ice cream and baking bread, fishing with his grandchildren and telling stories of the old days. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events and cheering them on. In the last five years, he made some great friends playing a mean game of checkers and cards at the Ernest P. Barka Assisted Living and the last year at Rockingham Nursing & Rehabilitation. For someone who grew up in the twenties, he kept up with the pace of life and adapted well to change. As a 91 year old man, he knew how to operate his own laptop and created his own Facebook page. Tom was a fighter who never gave up. He loved socializing and looking after the other residents' welfare giving hope and inspiration. He had a big heart and helped anyone in need.

He leaves a legacy behind with his children, Rena & Jose Maldonado of Londonderry, NH, Thomas Burgess, Jr. and Suzan Bennison of Wells, ME, William & Leslie Burgess of Matamata, New Zealand, Theresa & Dennis Gagnon of Barnstead, NH, David & Andrea Burgess of Dracut, MA, Cheryl & Steve Clark of Durham, NH, and Daniel & Molly Burgess of Stowe, VT, 20 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. He was very proud that his grandson William Burgess, Jr of Burgess Farm in New Zealand and his granddaughter Sabre Strout of Moose Rock Farm in Barnstead, NH carried on the love of farming.

Tom Burgess was a man who did it his way. It may not have been perfect in some people's eyes, but it was perfectly fitting in an imperfect world. His stories of spectacle and a grandiose way of lighting up the room is what drew everyone to his light. His constant vision of making you laugh was his rhetoric.
Tom donated his body to Harvard University's Medical School Research in his quest to continue to help others. In lieu of flowers, please take a shot of brandy and donate to a memorial fund that has been set up at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Donations can be made online to fundraising.stjude.org and search funds: Thomas W Burgess Memorial, or mailed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Thomas W. Burgess Memorial, St. Jude Gift Funds PO Box 1000, Dept 142 Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

SERVICES: As per Tom's wishes, a private family ceremony will be held celebrating his life. When he graduates from Harvard Medical, there will be a memorial service returning him to Dracut.