Arthur B. Burgess, Sr.

Arthur Bernard Burgess, Sr., son of the late Arthur Long and Edith Powell Norman was born on November 29, 1933, in Coatesville, PA.

“Buddy” as he was affectionately known to his friends and family attended James Adams School, an all-Black School that went from first grade through ninth grade; and graduated from Scott High School in 1952.   After high school, he attended Maryland Eastern Shore College in Princess Anne Maryland. 

While at Maryland Eastern Shore he met the beautiful Joyce T. Christmas.  Buddy and Joyce were married on August 11, 1955, and from that union came six children: Donna Marie, Arthur Bernard, Jr., Andrea Caroline, Denise Helene, Scott David and Joy Lyn. 

On July 18, 1981, Buddy married the lovely Patricia R. DiLuigi and from that union came one daughter, Jewel Christian.  In 1998 he moved to 607 Chestnut Street where he lived until his final transition.  While on Chestnut Street Pop was able to intimately pour his love and “fatherly/grandfatherly” guidance into the day to day lives of Donna, Bruce, Angela, Phillip, Italy, Bella and Gia. 

Buddy worked for the Veteran’s Administration Hospital for 42 years as a mail carrier then as a physical therapist technician until his retirement.  While the VA provided support for his family, Buddy’s true passion was Jazz; not smooth jazz but “real” Jazz from musicians like John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Art Blakey and Stan Getz. Buddy was a member of a few bands over the years, including The Keys of Rhythm, The Royal Knights and Lenny Wilson and the All Stars Band.  He and Lenny shared a special bond which also included his good friend Eddie Moore, who warmly referred to Buddy’s children as B1, B2, B3 etc….   After retiring from his band life, Buddy would sit for hours listening to the music that he performed during his years of playing in the band. 

Buddy was a devoted Eagles fan; he was so excited when they won the Super Bowl Championship in 2017. Buddy was also an avid walker; he would loop around the high school in Coatesville out-walking most of his family members on a regular basis.  He was always eager to be part of family strolls during the Burgess beach weeks on the boardwalk in Ocean City NJ.

“Buddy” leaves to cherish his memory seven children: Donna, Denise (Henry) and Jewel (Aaron) from Coatesville, PA; Arthur Jr. (Jimell) from Lancaster, PA; Andrea from Downingtown, PA; Scott (Valia) from Havre de Grace, MD and Joy (Arthur) from Falls Church, VA; seventeen grandchildren and  twenty-seven great grandchildren.  He also leaves behind a cousin Amelia Burgess-Yarbrough from Upper Marlboro, MD; a sister Nancy Long and many other family and friends.

Services will be held privately.

Condolences may be shared at the guestbook link on this memorial page.

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