John MARSHALL Burgess
October 14, 1942-July 15, 2016
John Marshall Burgess, 73, resident of San Carlos, California, died peacefully at home on July 15, 2016. He was diagnosed with melanoma in December 2015, and underwent several surgeries, and multiple treatments for secondary symptoms which arose as a result of the chemotherapy.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Faith Nomura Burgess; children: Christina (Matt) McMichael, Johanna (Joseph) Hart, & David (Kimberly) Burgess; grandchildren: Gavin & Mia McMichael, James & Julia Hart, and Brianna Burgess; brother: Daniel (Marla) Burgess; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, & numerous cousins.
Born on October 14, 1942 in Bremerton, WA, John grew up and lived in Portland, OR. He attended Jefferson High School, Portland State College, and worked for the Central Pacific Railroad, Oregon Forestry Services, and other jobs. John loved to water ski, snow ski, fish, camp, and drive his TR3. He moved to California and continued these activities. John met his future wife, Faith, on the ski slopes of Sugar Bowl, CA. After a continuing friendship, they were married on April 22, 1972 in San Francisco. They skied together, loved travelling to different places, and purchased their current home in San Carlos. There, they raised their 3 children, Christina, Johanna, and David. John was active in PTA, and was one of the very few dads who was honored by the PTA’s Honorary Service Award! He coached AYSO soccer, Little League, softball, and was also in Kiwanis, San Carlos Education Foundation, San Mateo Elks, & member of the San Carlos Community United Church of Christ, serving on their Board of Trustees. John had his own furniture refinishing business, The Stripping Warehouse, and was General Manager for the Iron Works, Laundry Works, and Gas Works restaurants, before being Customer Service & Sales Supervisor for United Air Lines.
John & Faith continued to travel, enjoyed exploring different places, food, and cultures. He enjoyed fishing for trout at San Pablo Reservoir, and Collins Lake with the grandchildren, and the yearly trips up to Garibaldi, OR for salmon fishing and Dungeness crabbing with his extended family. John also loved our at-home tailgate parties and cheering the San Francisco 49ers, the SF Giants, and the Golden State Warriors. He was an avid reader, especially mystery novels, and could answer questions in Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune before the contestants. But most of all, John treasured time spent with Faith, his children and grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at the Congregational Church of Belmont UCC, 751 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002, on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the Peninsula Humane Society or the American Cancer Society.