Obituary of Robert D. Burgess, Jr.

Robert D. “Bird” Burgess, Jr., of Woburn, passed away at his home after a brief illness on Sunday, October 1. He was 61 years of age. Born in Cambridge, and raised in Woburn, he was the son of the late Robert D. Burgess, Sr., and the late Dona M. (Porter) Burgess. “Bird” as he was known to friends and family, attended Woburn public schools. He was a great athlete and played baseball, hockey, and ran track. During the 80s, Bobby owned a shoe store called Footloose in East Boston. He was also a huge animal lover and enjoyed his time at Suffolk Downs, working and caring for the racehorses. Later, Bobby worked in the music industry. He loved the Boston music scene and was an assistant behind the scenes to multiple famous bands. Bobby was a die-hard sports fan, especially Boston sports. He loved Fenway Park and was a passionate Boston Red Socks fan, and a season ticket holder to the Boston Celtics. Bobby loved spending time with his family and friends and was a dedicated son to his late mother, Dona. There were many special occasions, holidays, and birthdays, but also those days to just hang out and be together. Bobby enjoyed seeing live bands play at the Middle East in Cambridge and attending the Saratoga stakes race every year in August. Bobby will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Bobby was the nephew of Linda Fulton and Nancy Chisholm, both of Winchester, the late Gordon F. Porter, and the late Cindy Barbagallo, and Peter Barbagallo of Milford, NH, and his fiancée Nancy Osgood of Woburn. Robert is also survived by many cousins: Jason Fulton of Woburn, Gordon F. Porter and his wife Olga of Lowell, Lera Porter of Billerica, Julie Mulrenan and her husband Brian of Woburn, Kendra Porter of Shirley, Amberlee Rydjeski and her husband Christopher of Lebanon NH, and Victoria Barbagallo of Saint Albans of Vermont as well as many loving second and third cousins. Visitation will be at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Tuesday, October 10 from 10:00-11:00 am, followed by a graveside service at the Pine Ridge Cemetery, 130 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. www.jimmyfund.org/gift