Philip A. “Tippy”Burgess
Lifelong Tewksbury Resident
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL: Philip A. “Tippy” Burgess, age 97, a lifelong member and supporter of the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, passed away at the Consulate Health Care in Port Charlotte, FL on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.
He was the beloved husband of the late Maxine C. (Weber)(Drew) Burgess who passed away in 2016 and the late Florence R. (Mills) Burgess, who passed away in 1991.
Tippy was born in Wilmington on January 24, 1921, one of eight children of the late Ernest O. Burgess and Kathryn I. (Marigold) Burgess.
He attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury High School.
In 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during World War II with the 1st Division and 3rd Division.
He was awarded numerous decorations for his service including the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.
Following his military service, he worked as a Supervisor for the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge until his retirement in 1986.
Tippy was active in many organizations. He was a member of the Wamesit Masonic Lodge AF & AM of Tewksbury, a 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite, and the Aleppo Shrine of Wilmington.
In addition, he was a certified firearms instructor, a certified instructor of map, compass and survival, and founding member of the Tewksbury Rod & Gun Club. He was a member of the Tewksbury DAV Post # 110, the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post # 8164, the Tewksbury American Legion Post # 113, the Marine Corps League, and served on the Selective Service Board.
Tippy was a former member of the Tewksbury Board of Selectman, the Tewksbury volunteer Fire Dept., and served as Captain of the Tewksbury Auxiliary Police.
In recent years, Tippy spent much of his time in Florida, where he was a member of the Charlotte County Shrine and the Charlotte County Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his former son-in-law, George Yost and his wife Kathy of Tewksbury; his step-children, Richard Drew and his wife Nancy of West Yarmouth, Warren Drew and his wife Charlotte of Tewksbury, and David Drew and his wife Jana of The Woodlands, TX; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews including his niece, Jean Devlin.
Tippy was the father of the late Carol Roberts, Donna Gardner, and Sharon Yost. He was the brother of the late Elsie Ray, Elta Brown, Ruth Justice, Myrle Simentore, Leslie, Melvin and Chester Burgess.
At Tippy’s request there are No Calling Hours. A Masonic Service will held at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, 2335 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury, immediately followed by his Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. to be held in the church.. Interment will be at Tewksbury Cemetery. Please Omit Flowers. Donations in his memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org