Howard O. Burgess

Howard Burgess, 75, of Landaff, NH passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2014 after a period of declining health, brought on by Lewy Body Dementia.

Howie was born on August 24, 1939 to Cedric and Verna Burgess in Littleton, NH. He graduated from Littleton High School where he excelled in many sports, including basketball - a passion for the game would stay with him throughout his adult years.

He married Janet (Gould) Burgess and together they had 5 children. Early in his working career he was a foreman at the Henschel Shoe Company, but decided he would pursue a career as a teacher and attended college on nights and weekends, while working full time and helping to raise his family. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Lyndon State College and soon after began his career in the Littleton school system, primarily as a middle school English teacher. He enjoyed his chosen path, and took great pleasure in teaching hundreds of students about literature, writing and more. Later in his career, he also continued teaching, but also served as the Administrator of the Daisy Bronson Middle School. As an accomplished coach, and was proud to have coached the Boys Basketball team to a State Championship. Never one to stop learning, in the early 1990s, Howie went back to school and graduated with a Master's Degree in Administration from Lyndon State College. By the time he retired in 2000, Howie had spent 30 years educating area students.

While he and Janet parted ways as a married couple, they remained lifelong friends. In 1999, Howie married Joyce (Thibodeau) Burgess. They enjoyed a number of years together in retirement where Howie could be found participating in any activity that related to the great outdoors – fishing, golfing, kayaking, walking, gardening, and puttering in his workshop. Most importantly though, he enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren and he could be found watching them in the many extracurricular activities they were involved in – no matter where they were.

He was predeceased by his father, his brothers, Claude Burgess and Dale Burgess and sisters, Jane Thompson and Nancy Fenner and his daughter, Cheryl Presley.

He is survived by the following: his wife, Joyce Burgess of Landaff. His mother, Verna Burgess of Whitefield, and brother, Bill Burgess and wife, Wanda of Savannah, Georgia. His first wife Janet Burgess and their five children: Eileen Burgess and partner, Lamont of Norfolk, Virginia; Shelley MacKay and husband, John of Bethlehem, NH; Melanie Alt and husband, Michael of Gray, Maine; Steven Burgess and his wife, Rebecca of Gray, Maine; his step-daughter, Chrisara Smith and her husband, Thomas of Landaff, NH. He leaves behind his 11 grandchildren: Carrie-Jo Johnson and husband, Robert; Kenny MacKay and wife, Jenn ; Kimberly MacKay; Stephanie Wilson and her husband, Charles; Jillian Cramer and her husband, Seth;, James Alt, Kyleigh Alt, Siobhan Smith, Joseph Burgess, Elizabeth Burgess and Emma Smith. In addition, he was the proud great-grandfather of 7.

SERVICES - Calling hours will be at the Pillsbury Phaneuf Funeral Home located at 101 Union Street in Littleton on Wednesday, December 17th from 3 – 6 pm. A private burial will take place on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Littleton High School Athletic Department, c/o Greg Fillion, 159 Oak Hill Avenue, Littleton, NH 03561.

Arrangements and care have been entrusted to the Pillsbury Phaneuf Funeral Home and Crematorium. For more information, please visit our website at www.pillsburyphaneuf.com.