Gary Burgard

1937 - 2024

Gary Burgard
June 10, 2024
Gary H. Burgard, a beloved husband, father and grandfather who made a profound difference in the lives of young people during his career as an educator, passed away peacefully in his East Haven home, surrounded by his family, on June 10. He was 86.
Gary was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1937, and as a high school student went on to earn recognition as an outstanding scholar at a ceremony hosted by President Harry Truman. He was accepted into Yale University in 1955, and graduated Magna Cum Laude four years later with both a Bachelor's degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in education.
Gary's first position as an educator was at Hamden High School, where his passion and deep knowledge of English literature made him a popular teacher. It was at Hamden High that Gary met the love of his life, a French teacher whom he married in 1963, Cathy Burgard. They were less than two weeks shy of celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary before Gary's passing.
Gary remained passionate about education over the span of a career that lasted 34 years before his retirement in 1994. After leaving Hamden High as head of the English department, he spent more than a decade as Principal of Wethersfield High School and finished his career as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in New London, where he championed early-education programs for disadvantaged children.
Gary's passion for education was exceeded only by the love and joy he had for spending time with his family, which included his two grown sons, Tim Burgard and Matt Burgard, and their respective wives, Mary Burgard and Penelope Overton. His greatest joy and sources of pride were his three grandchildren, Lucas and Ethan Burgard (Tim and Mary's sons) and Zoe Burgard (Matt and Penelope's daughter). To the grandchildren, Gary was known as "Pa," and they were blessed to have a grandfather who delighted in their every stage of childhood.
Gary leaves cherished memories with his surviving loved ones, especially the family vacations to Maine he and Cathy arranged every summer for 20 years. It was on those trips when Gary was most in his element, running out every morning for fresh bread or coffee and spending hours finishing jigsaw puzzles with the kids by his side. One of the greatest gifts he gave to everyone in the family was his deep love for the written word, as he and Cathy could often be found curled up on a couch in their home, reading everything from contemporary fiction to classical poetry.
As his life drew to a close, Gary's legacy as an educator came full circle as he reconnected with many of the students who he had taught years earlier in Hamden, forming a virtual book circle that became a source of deep pride and gratitude.
Gary will be remembered at a special memorial service at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford on Wednesday, June 19 with a visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., and a service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to your local library or an independent book store of your choice. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.