Henry Russel "Russ" Burgess Jr.

6/20/1938 - 3/17/2025

Mystic - H. Russel Burgess Jr. "Russ", of Mystic, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, died peacefully March 17, 2025, with his family at his side at Yale New Haven Hospital from complications of surgery. Born in Greenwich, June 20, 1938, to Margaret and Russel Burgess, he was a graduate of Greenwich High School and Dartmouth College. He served as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal officer in the Navy for three years following graduation, before joining the planning department at Electric Boat. A switch in career paths took him to Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Hartford and San Jose, Calif. and then to Acacia Life Insurance in Boston, Mass.

An accomplished sailor, Russ crewed twice on local boats in the Newport to Bermuda race. A loyal patriot, a friend you could always count on, and a dog lover, he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and strength. He felt most at home near the ocean. A Navy diver and avid outdoorsman, he led the Dartmouth Outing Club and later traveled the West in a VW pop-top. Never one to seek recognition for his generosity, he planted thousands of daffodils at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic in memory of a dear friend and donated a swing set to the Mason's Island Yacht Club to honor another. A voracious reader with a sharp wit, he was as funny as he was wise. Over the last decade he connected with good friends as a member of ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Overwhelmed by technology, and a proponent of the written word, he refused to own his own phone. His love, creativity, quiet demeanor, and deep sense of loyalty will be forever missed by those lucky enough to know him.

He leaves behind his greatest love, his wife of 64 years, Ann Wheeler Burgess, whom he met as a camp counselor at the Aloha camps. As one of his grandchildren commented, "Theirs was a love for the ages". He also leaves his son Mark (Kristina Lange) of Shelter Island, N.Y.; his son Russel (Karin) of Stonington; and his daughter Karen (Aaron Brandt) of Norwich, Vt.; his brother Peter and sister-in-law Sally of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and seven adoring grandchildren, Camille Burgess (Matt Spathas), Emilie Burgess, Annika Burgess, Julia Burgess, Margit Burgess, Grant Woods and Ben Woods. He was happiest when surrounded by the love and laughter of his family.

A time to come together and celebrate Russ will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Russ would want you to support the charity of your choice.