Arthur John Burdett, Jr., age 80, passed away peacefully in his home after a brief illness on November 12th. He was surrounded with love by his two beloved daughters, Ariana Burdett and her husband, Lee Raymond of Charlestown, MA and Elyssa Burdett Demakes and her husband, Nick Demakes of Marblehead, MA; as well as his devoted ex-wife and caretaker of many years, Elizabeth Lagadinos of Plymouth. He is also survived by his loving brother, Frank Burdett, of Philadelphia, PA; his most cherished grandchildren, Jonathan Penn Demakes, Theo Arthur Raymond, Eleni Noelani Raymond, and Leo Alexander Demakes; as well as many dearly loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, friends and colleagues.
A LIFE WELL LIVED
Growing up in a small row house in West Philadelphia, Art enjoyed playing baseball, attending church and taking bus trips with the Boy Scouts. In his later teen years he sang in a barbershop quartet and danced at the famous and iconic American Bandstand. After graduating high school at the top of his class, he attended Temple University and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and History, followed by earning his Master’s Degree in Education focused on Organizational Development and Psychoeducational Studies in 1977. Additionally, Art pursued M.B.A. Studies from Temple University. From his humble beginnings came a life of extraordinary talent, passion and achievement.
Starting out as a public school teacher at John Bartram High School, Art went on to make a huge impact for inner city youth by designing, co-founding and serving as Director of an alternative high school with his dear friend Paul Adorno, The Bartram School for Human Services in Philadelphia, for over a decade. Located adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania, the school introduced students to professional work environments, high expectations, and a dynamic program where innovation, career education, adolescent development and academic achievement were valued and pursued in tangible ways. Students were given internships that exposed them to careers in education, child care, medicine, law and social work and which also gave them a springboard for becoming successful young adults in life after graduation.
In 1982 Art married and moved to MA where he made a successful transition from education into the business world during the early high technology boom. He began working for Hewlett Packard serving in several Human Resources positions, including Area Personnel Manager and Group Education Manager. From 1994-98 Art was recruited to become the Vice President of Human Resources and Quality at High Voltage Engineering in Wakefield, MA and later Vice President of Human Resources at SolidWorks Corporation in Concord, MA. Art had an abiding passion for helping people achieve success, develop skills, manage change, build careers, and develop the skills needed to achieve their goals. He was widely respected as an Human Resources leader and innovator. His talents as a coach and educational strategist, administrator, facilitator, and training and development leader were recognized on a corporate-wide basis and nationwide when he was asked to become part of an ongoing think tank at The Brookings Institute in Washington, DC. Art continued throughout his life to serve as a leader, mentor and friend to many, maintaining many of his work relationships well into his later years in life.
Once retired, what Art referred to as his “encore story” included developing and teaching a class called “Boomer Transitions: Using your work and life skills to reinvent your future” at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education to help recent retirees begin their successful and rewarding next chapters in life. He also volunteered as a docent for several years at the JFK Library and Museum in Boston where he enjoyed meeting many of the most famous and influential leaders of our times.
On a personal level, there was nothing he loved more than being a family man, a father, and a “Pop Pop” to his sweet young grandchildren. He was always a shoulder to cry on and quick to help others and offer advice when asked. Art was also a highly principled man, a man of integrity, vision and understanding/appreciation for our global community. He was sweet, brilliant, wise, quick-witted and had a very tender sense of humor. He really enjoyed singing along with his favorite Motown hits and dancing with his precious daughters and grandchildren, up until the very end of his life.
He will be so very missed, and will forever stay in all of our hearts.
His funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16th beginning at 11:00am in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester. A hour of visitation will be on Saturday, November 16th from 10:00am until the start of the service in the church. Burial in Plymouth will be private. O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue is assisting the family with arrangements.