John Burgess

He was a member of Incarnation Church for 46 years preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Bartha), his parents Ralph and Marianna Mariotti, his twin sister Catherine C. Mastrangelo, his sister Earnesta Burgess and his grandson, Bruce T. Duffy. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Duffy with whom he lived in Kettering; six grandchildren, John (Allie) Duffy of Salt Lake City UT; Cindye (Keith) Hauck of Kannapolis NC; Richard (Christina) Duffy of Kettering; Peggy (Mark) Fleetwood of Albuquerque NM; James (Elizabeth) Duffy of Columbus, OH; Brian (Elizabeth) Duffy of Kettering. Seventeen great-grandchildren that he enjoyed very much; John Michael, Bryce and Meghan Duffy; Morgan, Taylor and Ryan Hauck; Zachary, Brittany and Joshua Duffy; Chase and Alexandra Fleetwood; Ian, Caden and Finnian Duffy; Jacquelyn Duffy; Lindsay and Adam Duffy. His surviving nieces and nephews include; James Pete (Connie) Mastrangelo; Sue (Ben) Borgerding; Frances Tuggle; Betty and Jack Dempsey; Jim (Linda) Burgess; Patricia Burgess-Jenkins. Mr. Burgess was born in Fleming, KY in 1914 then growing up in Lynch, KY attended Lynch High School playing football for three years graduating in 1935. He worked as a coalminer, brakeman, mine foreman, and mine rescue team member more than 29 years for the U.S. Steele Corp. He was a 70-year, dues-paying member of the United Mine Workers of America and a member of the US Steele Mine Rescue Teams winning numerous US National Championships in the 1940’s and ‘50s. He was very proud of the actual rescue of brother coalminers in mining accidents that the Teams performed during his tenure as a member. In 1960 Mr. Burgess and his wife moved to Centerville, OH where he was employed by the Washington Township-Centerville School system for more than 24 years. He worked in the old Magsig Building moving to the new Centerville High School East Unit on its completion. He loved working for the school system considering many of the students and teachers he encountered to be ‘his’ school family. He was a Kentucky Colonel and enjoyed Derby Day. Upon retirement, he consulted on various plans and proposals for operation at MacDigger’s Pub in Centerville with his friend Steve Leen. Johnnie Burgess loved to be around people and just enjoyed them. He was a veritable sports encyclopedia and up to his death discussed the Reds, Bengals, and the Yankees with his grandsons and friends. His family would like to thank those very special people who attended the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Incarnation for their help and assistance as he grew older. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 7, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the Church of the Incarnation, Centerville. Burial in Centerville Cemetery. Family will greet friends Thursday from 4-7:00 PM at the Routsong Funeral Home, 81 N. Main St., Centerville. To honor Johnnie’s proud service to the coal mining industry, his family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Our Common Heritage Sago Mine Survivors Benefit, 15 Gates St., Dayton, OH 45402 or to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.routsong.com.