Lynn V. Burgess

Lynn passed away suddenly at his home, 211 Howell Street, Rotterdam, New York on Wednesday, December 10th 2014. Lynn had a full and interesting life. He was born in Cooperstown, NY and was the son of Leonard Burgess and Dora Slater Burgess. Lynn graduated from Cooperstown Central School. In his youth he worked as an exercise jockey for the race horses and dog trainer for the dogs owned by the Clark family of Singer Sewing Machine Fame. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served in Germany as a radio operator, a projectionist and demolitions expert. While in Germany, Lynn met and married Sieglind A. Kuhn. At the end of four years because of the Thurman extension, Lynn and Sieglind returned to the United States where Lynn ran a small farm and attended Alfred University for Architectural Engineering while Siegland gave birth to and raised their two sons, Frederic August and Michael Lynn.

The sixties brought a change of pace as Lynn joined the Carpenters Union and traveled to Albany, New York to work on the South Mall. While there he became a carpenter foreman and with the help of his Native American ancestry, Lynn developed and help build the Twin Towers. Also while there he met and married Mary Belfonte. Shortly after he left construction. He and Mary settled in Rotterdam, New York where Lynn drove trucks for General Electric and Mary worked for the Department of Labor and then the Department of Environmental Conservation as an Environmental Program Specialist. They joined several fraternal organizations and worked together for the betterment of U.S. Military Veterans.

After Lynn retired from General Electric he worked for Layton's Waste Service where he helped train new drivers. Six days before his death Lynn and Mary celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.
Lynn is predeceased by his father Leonard Burgess and his mother Dora Slater Burgess, his first wife Siegland Kuhn Burgess, his eldest son Frederic Burgess, Fredric's wife, Anite Burgess and his grandson in-law, Josh Lapointe. Lynn is survived by his wife Mary Belfonte Burgess, Frederics son, Josh Burgess, Lynn's son, Michael Lynn Burgess and Michaels wife Karen Stefanachi. Lynn is also survived by his granddaughter Heather Burgess Lapointe and her partner Justin Grant. Lynn also leaves behind his great grandsons Noah Lapointe and Jasiah Grant and his granddaughter , Kari Burgess Austin and her husband, Jeff Austin and his granddaughter, Rebecca Burgess Parduba and her husband, John Parduba. Lynn also leaves behind several aunts, uncles , nieces and nephews to continue to celebrate his life.

He was a past commander of the American Legion Post 1567 in Hartwick, New York and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1895 in Rotterdam, New York where he served in the Honor guard. Lynn was also a member of Lodge 2157 of the order of the Elks in Rotterdam, New York. Lynn was also a member to the American Legion Post 1450 in Halfmoon, New York and a proud memberof the Eagles Club in Rotterdam, New York.

Lynn was an avid sportsman and enjoyed both hunting and fishing. He belonged to the Mifordd Fish and Game Club and the National Rifle Association.
Friends and family are invited to New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 on Tuesday, December 16th 2014 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 17th 2014 at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery at 1:00pm. There will be no calling hours at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Donations may be made to either the Honor Guard of Post 1895 or to the Rotterdam Emergency Squad.





Now you've gone first and I remain,
To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear,
With happy days we've known.
In Spring I'll wait for roses red,
When fades the lilac blue,
In early Fall when brown leaves call
I'll catch a glimpse of you.

Now you've gone first and I remain,
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way
Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand
Will buoy me on with hope.

Now you've gone first and I remain,
To finish with the scroll,
No length 'ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness,
We've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God
That death cannot destroy.

Now you've gone first and I remain,
One thing I'd have you do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path,
For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take
That I may walk the same,
For some day down that lonely road
You'll hear me call your name.
All my love always,
Mary