BURGESS, EMMETT JOSEPH - 1921 - 2014 - It is with sadness the family announces the death of Emmett Joseph Burgess on June 13, 2014 at Thomas Hall, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Emmett was born in Ennishone (Drummond), Victoria County, New Brunswick to the late Alfred and Ellen (nee Houlahan) Burgess. He graduated from St. Joseph's College, Memramcook, NB, in 1939 after completing the requirements for High School and two years Liberal Arts. In 1945 Emmett graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a BSc in Pre-Engineering. He qualified for membership in the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick in 1952. Emmett was employed from 1946 until his retirement in 1980 with the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission, spending most of those years as an Electrical Engineer in Fredericton. Emmett married the late Dagmar Brinkman in 1946. Together they raised four children in Grand Falls and Fredericton. Dagmar died in 1988 and in 1991 Emmett married the late Dorothy Brinkman. At that time he returned to Grand Falls and remained there until 2013 when failing health resulted in his return to Fredericton. Throughout his lifetime Emmett was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, camping, alpine and Nordic skiing. He was part of an early group of skiers who started the development of an alpine ski area at Crabbe Mountain in the early 1960's and served as a director for some years thereafter. He held a great love for the family cottage on the St. John River in Brown's Cove, Karrs, and continued to make regular trips there until the summer of 2012. His interests extended to the community as well. Emmett took great pride in his family history and the legacy of the Burgess Mill in Grand Falls. He was a volunteer with the Grand Falls Historical Society as well as the Danish Museum in New Denmark. Following his retirement he was a regular participant in the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission 25 Year Service group. Emmett was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Dagmar, infant son Robert, daughter Nancy, second wife Dorothy, and brother, Matthew. He is survived by his children Bryan (Mary Jane) of Fredericton, Basil (Susan) of Toronto, and Sonja (Jack) of Fredericton; four grandchildren, Kristen, Megan, Amber and Liza and seven great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Jade, Jazmine, Samantha, Jordan, Issac and Sierra. Emmett's family wish to thank Maureen Gagnon, his Grand Falls caregiver, for many years of caring service; Marilyn Landry for the thoughtful care provided in Thomas Hall, and the staff of Thomas Hall for their wonderful care and support during his residency there.
In keeping with Emmett's wishes there will be a visitation at O'Regan's Funeral Home in Grand Falls on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 2 to 4 P.M. and McAdam's Funeral Home, Fredericton, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, 7 to 9 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Dunstan's Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10 A.M. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the charity of the donors choice.