Nathaniel Burston

Nathaniel Burston, born on June 4, 1958, in Springfield, Massachusetts, spent his life dedicated to his family, friends, and his cherished work as a mentor in the AISS Mentorship Program at Hampden County Sheriff's Office. He was a noble beacon of inspiration and guidance to many. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." This quote epitomizes the life of Nathaniel, who was never married but committed his heart and time to those he served and loved.
Nathaniel was a man of deep faith who found solace and wisdom in the teachings of the Bible. He often quoted scriptures, signifying his profound understanding and devotion to his faith. He also found joy in the R&B and Gospel music of the great Al Green, whose soulful tunes often filled his residence in Springfield. Nathaniel had an ardent love for games, particularly cards, Dominoes, and Spades, which he often enjoyed with family and friends during cherished moments of togetherness.
Nathaniel is survived by his siblings Geraldine, Marjorie, Wilfred, and Kelly Burston, along with his beloved niece, Patricia Washington Jamison. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earlest and Leila Burston, and his siblings Gloria, Margaret, Ethel, Minnie, Essle, John Lee, John Will, Malcolm, Curley, and Willie Fred.
A viewing for Nathaniel will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Deliverance Center Ministries, located at 336 Springfield Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, 01107. The committal service will follow at 12:30 pm EST at the Oak Grove Cemetery of Springfield Inc., located at 426 Bay Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, 01109.
As we bid farewell to Nathaniel, let us remember the words of Helen Keller: "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Therefore, we encourage all who knew and loved Nathaniel to keep his memory alive by sharing your favorite memories and uploading photos of him to the memorial page.