James Robert Burgess

Burgess, James Robert
ALBANY - James "Bob", "JR" Burgess, 77, found peace, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, on December 6, 2025.
Bob was born at the Cohoes Hospital on January 17, 1948, to James Arthur Burgess and Jean Cameron (Mitchell) Burgess. Bob was the oldest of six siblings, growing up in the City of Watervliet, holding his first job as a paperboy. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, with separate tours on the USS Sumner County and USS Point Defiance, with notable titles of gun director, and storekeeper. After his return, he held several jobs over the years, applying at the railroad, and eventually finding work at the Allegheny-Ludlum Steel Corp, in Colonie, Garity Lumber, and Fuller Brush, where he would meet his future wife, Joan Marie Hildenbrandt, at the company clam bake, hosted at Mosal's Grove. Bob would eventually find his calling working under the direction of Irwin Lapidis as an apprentice plumber, eventually earning his master plumber license. Bob and Joan married at the United Methodist Church on May 18, 1974, starting their new lives on Consaul Rd., at the family house sold to them by Grandma Bryda. They welcomed the birth of their first child, Christopher Robert Burgess, and a few years later, their second child Nicholas Andrew Burgess, and three years later, the birth of their daughter Melissa Mary Burgess. It was shortly after the birth of the second son, Bob would begin his self-employed journey, founding "J. R. Burgess Plumbing and Heating," serving the capital region, with much of his work based in the city of Troy. Bob took pride in his work, loving the challenge of old and new technologies, and the customers he met along the way. He worked for over 33 years, until he fell ill early 2019, where he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Bob was the go-to guy for any problem, bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a thoughtful, methodical process to everything he approached in life. Nothing was ever rushed and was always completed to professional level. He loved the outdoors, whether it was enjoying an after dinner walk down the road, or hiking through the woods during deer season, an activity that would become an annual father-daughter tradition and shared with friends and family around the Long Table. He had a passion for steam engines, where many family vacations were shared at Strasburg Railroad, Pennsylvania. He loved doing maple syrup in the cold season, participating in his gun club at the Westerlo Basic Valley Fish & Game Club manning the archery booth, had a passion for jazz music, drawing and sketching on napkins, fishing, boating, and enjoying time with his family and beloved pets.
Survivors include his beautiful wife of 51 years, Joan M. Burgess; his siblings, Bill (Patty) Burgess, Les (Betty) Burgess, Kathy (Marty) Nash, Elaine (John) Quell. Also survived by his
children, Christopher (Kyrstin) Burgess; and their children, Preston and Paisley, Nicholas (Shelly) Burgess; and their children, Kaylie and Paige, and Melissa (Josh) Burgess; their daughter, Piper. Bob is also survived by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other friends and family.
Bob was predeceased by his younger brother, Bruce Burgess.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the nurses and aids who have helped care for Bob and Joan in their later years, with a special thanks to Nurse Shelly, who became family during one of the most challenging of times. A thank you to the Staff at Shaker Place, where Bob was cared for in his later years. The warmth and compassion they've provided allowed Bob's personality to shine on the most difficult of days, with many people noting Bob's jovial nature, mischievous grin and affinity for a good snack, especially sweets and popcorn.
Visitation will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Rd., Watervliet, on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 8 to 11 a.m. A Memorial Funeral Ceremony will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11 a.m. A Military Service will be held immediately following the ceremony in Memory Gardens Chapel, 983 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Albany. A Graveside Service will be held after the chapel service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that any donations be made to The Parkinson's Foundation, at www.parkinson.org
To leave a special message of condolence for the family, please visit www.NewComerAlbany.com