Howard J. Burdick, 79
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Howard Jerome Burdick, 79, of 24 Bryant St., Adams died peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2011, surrounded by family at Sweetbrook Nursing Home.
He was born in North Adams on Aug. 3, 1931, a son of Howard A. and Veda Moody Burdick. He graduated from one-room schoolhouse No. 2 in Florida and from Drury High School with the class of 1949.
Mr. Burdick developed a strong work ethic at an early age working on the family farm. After graduating high school, he was employed as a conservation worker for the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources until 1954, managed Berkshire Hardware and Farm Equipment until 1959, worked for Boston Mutual Life Insurance Co. as assistant staff manager and life underwriter until 1965, Highway Superintendent for the Town of Florida from 1965-1966, owner of Four-J Farm Trucking Co. in Florida from 1966-1979, and was co-owner of B&W Construction Co. from 1973-1979. He also was project supervisor for Berkshire Training and Employment Program in Pittsfield from 1979-1982, taught at Hoosac Valley High School in the summer program, Industrial Arts and Plant Maintenance from 1982-1984, and was last employed at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the maintenance department from 1984 until his retirement in 2001.
He married Flora E. Hunkler of Florida on Oct. 28, 1950.
He was a lifelong member of the Florida Baptist Church, and served as trustee and president of the Florida Christian Men's Group. He was a co-founder of The Singing Evangelists gospel group, which performed throughout New England.
He served on the Florida School Committee and Florida Finance Committee and was a Boy Scout counselor for Troop 76 in Florida.
He enjoyed the ocean, photography, painting, dancing, playing guitar, singing and family gatherings.
Fishing was at the top of his list, with deer and turkey hunting in Vermont and Massachusetts as a close second. His larger-scale farming experience was reduced later in life to a backyard garden from which he derived much pleasure. Neighbors were hard-pressed to compete with his vegetable patch.
Any excuse to bond with a friend, child or sibling, could often revolve around these activities. But at times, just getting together to cut a load of firewood with his boys proved to be as rewarding as any of his other pleasures.
His ability to make anyone, from farmers to professors, feel like a lifelong friend even at first meeting, was an inspiration to all that knew and loved him. Everyone who knew him benefited from his years of knowledge obtained from hands-on experience and honest observations. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Shirley Lesniak of North Adams; sons Jeffrey S. Burdick, of Florida, Jason N. Burdick and his wife, Sherry, of Weare, N.H., Joel C. Burdick and his wife, Patricia Anderson, of Florida, and Jon J. Burdick of Florida; daughter-in-law Patricia A. Burdick, of North Adams; brothers Roy C. Burdick and his wife, "Winnie," of Florida and Gary A. Burdick and his wife, "Mickey," of Wales; a sister, Gail A. LaGess and her husband, Harry, of Florida; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Fay E. Burdick.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Howard Burdick will be Wednesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at the Florida Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Florida Church Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals West Chapels, 521 West Main St. on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Florida Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.