Vincent Anthony Burgess Sr. Sr.

Funeral services for Vinny Burgess, 85-year-old Buffalo resident who passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 15th, at the VA Medical Center, Mountain View Cottage in Sheridan, will be held Saturday, August 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Pastor Don Paulson officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home chapel on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with the American Legion and VFW in charge of military graveside honors. Donations in Vinny's memory may be made to the VFW Post 2469 at 17 Veterans Ave. in Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Vinny spent his formative years in the borough where he attended high school. His steadfast commitment to his country was evident when he joined the US Navy and served as a Boiler Technician aboard the USS Essex from 1957 to 1961. His time in the Navy was a foundational period of his life, providing him with a sense of discipline and camaraderie that he carried with him long after his service. Following his honorable discharge he returned to New York where he was married on October 27, 1961 in Brooklyn to Dolores Rios and they made their home in Brooklyn. Vinny's industrious spirit led him to multiple career paths. He found fulfillment as a truck driver, traversing the roads and witnessing the expansiveness of the country he once served. His dedication to public service shone through in his tenure as a Police Officer and Detective in Pine Bush, New York, where he was respected for his honesty, integrity, and sense of humor. Vinny also took pride in his work as a Heavy Equipment Operator, handling machinery with the same ease and skill as he did the challenges of life.

An avid outdoorsman, Vinny cherished the times he spent hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. His love for the great outdoors was only surpassed by the love he had for his family. Vinny and Dolores raised their three sons in Buffalo, Wy from 1976 to present. Vinny was very active in the VFW. He was very passionate about being on the VFW Honor Guard where he was able to render honors to fallen veterans. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post #13 in Buffalo. Those who knew Vinny would describe him as loving, funny, and courageous. His laughter was infectious, his storytelling unparalleled, and his bravery unwavering. He faced life's challenges with a smile and a joke, always ready to lighten the mood or offer a word of encouragement. Vinny's life was a testimony to the joy of simplicity, the honor of service, and the warmth of community. As we bid farewell to a man who was a husband, father, veteran, and friend, we celebrate the indelible mark he left on the hearts of all who knew him. Vincent Anthony Burgess will be profoundly missed, but the stories of his love and laughter will echo through generations, a fitting tribute to a man who lived life to the fullest.

Vinny's legacy is carried on by his beloved wife, Dolores Burgess, and their three sons, Vince A. Burgess and his wife, Rebecca; Mickel Burgess and his wife, Chanda; and Daniel E. Burgess and his wife, Sheryl; 5 Grandchildren; two brothers Tom and Billy, and his sister, Mary Joan Kaplan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mary Burgess, and brother, Eddie Burgess. The values they instilled in him lived on through his actions and the family he raised.