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Aside from serving as the background voice to most Everest football games, I have a few distinct memories of Mr. Burgess to share— Halloween prep; Everest visitor stands; and Wedding Reunion. Rick and our dad decided to do a haunted garage at Rick's one year, and we agreed to help prep. Aside from cleaning up more dead flies than a former window-washer'd ever seen in one place in those two garage windows, all memories of that night are centered around how much both of them were into it, and I'd previously never thought the enthusiasm could've been matched—should've known to leave it to Rick to bring that kind of energy. Another time we were sitting in the visitors stands representing Everest at an away game, and when Sonny showed up with his newly engaged fiance Ava, it's all Rick could focus on, and at one point he yelled across the tiny stands, "Hey Sonny, when are you going to introduce me to your new girlfriend!?" Idk how funny Sonny thought it was, but I was rolling. Lastly, and most distinctly Rick, we—my siblings and I, that is—decided last minute day-of to throw a surprise wedding reunion for our parents, and hoped we could gather a bunch of Everest family friends in time for the surprise, so we went with our best shot and called Rick first. He dropped whatever he was doing and delivered bigger than we could've hoped, with at least 100 if not more friends all dropping whatever their previous plans were and showing up at the house for a great reunion surprise! We couldn't have pulled that off without Rick. He'll be remembered and missed by many in and throughout their lives I'm certain, and I know I'm grateful and couldn't even if I wanted to forget the role he's played in mine. Sincerely, Niccolo.

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Many years ago, my friends and I went to a high school party in the Oakhurst neighborhood. The party ended rather early, and we debated what to do. We decided, even though it was 10 or 11 PM, to surprise Mr. Burgess just down the street. We knocked on his door, and he greeted us with a yuge smile. Mr. Burgess then invited us in and we all sat in the living room, telling stories and laughing. I'll always remember that about him, the total kindness and gift of self to a bunch of rowdy high schoolers late at night. He was such a fun and social guy, and I will miss him.

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I really like how someone said he had a special way of making anyone feel noticed. Truly one of a kind, the man just genuinely cared about people. There’s a video somewhere where Grant threw me a touchdown pass against lakes that put us up to win the game and you can hear Mr. Burgess literally losing his voice screaming in the background. Can still hear it today :)

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Mr. Burgess was the life of the party even if it wasn’t a party. From sports games, to events at school, mass, anything. He always had a huge smile on his face and brought light and a burst of energy to all those around him.

When we first moved, he really took care to welcome our family. It took a lot to get me to smile and laugh- and he always did, even if I didn’t want to smile. If I was clearly not talking to anyone…he’d yell my name come over and make me laugh and feel more comfortable and welcome. He knew what to say and how to engage with anyone in such a positive way. Hopefully, we can all strive to be like that for those that need it. His very contagious laugh and smile will be dearly missed, but remembered forever. And yes, he did usually end conversations with, “where’s Nic? where’s Sonny?”

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The Mayor of Everest- Mr. Burgess

Mr. Burgess welcomed our family into the Everest community faster than anyone else. Moving across the country to a small Catholic school was scary. Mr. Burgess embraced the chaos of our large family and made us feel right at home. He invited all of us to his house countless times and always made sure to ask where the few who didn’t show up were. “Where’s Sonny? Where’s Nic?”

At my first visit to the Burgess household, it was for homecoming pictures. Rosie, Jules and I walked through the front door and immediately my heel got stuck in the vent. Mr Burgess came walking around the corner yelling “You just got here and are already breaking things in my house Angie!”

Mr. Burgess allowed Papa to throw up a last minute haunted house in his garage for Halloween. Once again inviting all of us over to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood where they handed out king size candy bars, we were lucky.

It was a necessity that Mr. Burgess be at an Everest party to make it fun. He always made his presence known from yelling anyone’s name to giving a toast and cracking jokes. I can remember countless graduation parties and weddings where my name was being yelled across the room and it could only be Mr. Burgess with a big old grin on his face as I tried to find him. We’d laugh and talk about what was happening in my life and he always ended the conversation with, “Where’s Sonny and Where’s Nic?”

The Mastromatteo Window Cleaning Company was hired by Mr. Burgess to wash what seemed like 1000 windows. My brothers worked on the outside of the house, while I worked on the inside. Mr. Burgess came home and said to me “Angie your brother’s gave you the most important job making you talk to the customers -they better be paying you the most.” They weren’t and that was my final time washing windows!

Mr. Burgess’ legacy will carry on through his four wonderful children. Each of them remind me of him - always cheerful with their big personalities and most certainly can count on at least one of them yelling my name across a crowded room.

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The last time I saw Mr. Burgess was at mass on Sunday morning. He welcomed me in by giving me the biggest hug with a huge smile on his face. I always received a joyful welcome from this guy!

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I also was at Starbucks on sashabaw one day waiting for my coffee inside when he pulled up next to the drive thru window outside. He saw me waiting inside and yelled at me through the window in a loud voice, “Claudia Mastromatteo!!” He did the same thing every time I saw him in the building at blue cross during my internship. It always made me laugh.

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I’ll always remember his loud voice that carried over hundreds of people in a crowd. We hosted a surprise anniversary party for my parents and he did us the honor of starting by yelling happy anniversary the loudest as they drove down the driveway. There was no better person to start the chant.

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I’ll never forget how he helped me in college on my professional writing paper and how he was so willing to speak with me about my career. He helped me land my first internship and that lead me in directions that likely would not have been possible without his help. He believed in my potential, and for that I’ll always be grateful.

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Mr. Burgess

I was working at Quicken Loans barely making anything, living at my parents which I loved. But I was not in a good place. I wanted to grow in a career to eventually get married and have a family. I could barely afford to pay my student loans and car.

I tried applying to blue cross without Mr. Burgess’ help for two years. Finally I texted him and not five minutes later I get a call from Mr. Burgess. The very next day I had an interview lined up and received an offer from blue cross not even a week later. There are people that always say they will help you in the business world, but very few actually mean it. Mr. Burgess didn’t stop there. He called me frequently to check in and also leaned on me to help mentor others at work even though I wasn’t in the same area of the company as him.

He also taught me to pay it forward and help others in need. He never asked anything of me but to remember to always help others when you can.

Throughout my career he has helped guide me and end of the day helped me provide for my family. Without his help and guidance in the business world I would not have what I have today. I mean I bought a caddy in my first two years at blue cross because he had one. I wanted to be like him.

What I learned over the years though is that after seeing his role within the company and how high up he was I never saw him miss his kids games or events at Everest. Even if he had to take work calls he was at the game watching. He lived his kids more than life. He was always the life of the party and made you feel that way.

One time at the office he had a meeting on the same floor I was working on and my team had no idea I knew him. He caught eyes with me and yelled out ‘Sonny!!!!’ Me being a shy person was like come on Mr. Burgess. But he came right up gave me a hug and went on to his meeting.

For those who don’t know on our blue cross family side, Mr. Burgess was a faith based man and loved his family more than life. I saw it all the time at my siblings games and his kids games. From screaming at refs from the top of the football field to going down to the field after a tough loss and showing love to his kids. It’s hard to imagine not hearing his wonderful voice and energy. But his spirit remains in all of us. His laugh would light up a room and was infectious. Let us remember his love and passion and his never ending love for his entire family.

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Mr. Burgess was always unapologetically himself. Every memory I have with him included laughter. He brought our family and friends together for our parents surprise 28th wedding anniversary one year. He led 50+ people to the front door with ease, he proudly conducted the count down for their toast entry, and without much effort brought joy to all wherever he went!

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He had a funny way of making you feel seen even in a big crowd...

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There was one time I shared something I was dealing with that was really personal and quite sad. I remember feeling shell shocked that instead of trying to give me advise or even change the subject, he truly felt what I was feeling in that moment of sadness. He had a great sense of empathy.