Elmer Junior Burgess

Elmer Junior “Turkey” Burgess, a former resident of Dudley Drive and more recently the Vermont Veterans Home, passed away on Saturday March 30, 2024 at the Veterans Home. He was born in Bennington on June 12, 1929, the son of the late Elmer and Eva (Honn) burgess. Elmer received his education in Bennington. He served in the United States Army from 1948-1949, completing two tours. Elmer re-enlisted and served from 1952-1955 during the Korean conflict. For ten years, Elmer was employed at Sprague Electric in North Adams, Massachusetts and for 27 years he was employed by the Town of Bennington Highway Department, from which he retired. He later continued working by delivering parts for Carquest. Elmer enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and hunting. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and playing his guitar. He was also an avid chess player. He was a member of the American Legion Post 13, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1332, the Bennington Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Bennington Elks, and the Moose Family Center of Bennington. He was a man of many hats, always had a smile on his face and a joke or story for everyone he met. Elmer is survived by his children; Cindy Thomas of Tennessee, Lynn Cramer of Hoosick Falls, NY, Trudy Miranda of Johnsonville, NY, Tina (Michael) Harrington of North Bennington, VT, and Timothy (Katrina) Webster of South Strafford, VT., 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, a brother Bernard burgess of California, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Elmer was predeceased by his partner of over 48 years, Linda Webster, on April 4, 2022. He was also predeceased by two brothers; Ralph and Alfred Burgess, and five sisters; Cherie Walker, Helena Bolton, Evelyn Decot, Lorraine Markowitz and Elaine Burgess. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main Street Bennington, VT. Burial with military honors will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to call at the Mahar and Son funeral Home on Tuesday April 9, 2024, from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. If friends desire, contributions in memory of Elmer may be made to the Vermont Veterans Home through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201. The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the staff at the Vermont veterans Home for the professional and compassionate care they gave to Elmer.