Fred Chester Burgess Jr.

March 31, 1932 - December 3, 2021

Fred Chester Burgess, Jr., 89, of Bonita Springs, Florida, passed away on December 3, 2021. Fred was born in Acushnet, Massachusetts on March 31, 1932 to Ida Allaire and Fred Chester Burgess, Sr. He spent his childhood roaming the woods and hills of New England, where he developed a deep love of the outdoors and all living creatures, especially birds. He had intended to pursue a degree in Ornithology on the other side of the country when by chance at age 17, he met the love of his life, Isabelle Perry. He knew from the moment they met that she was “the one,” and instead of moving across the country and away from her, he stayed in Massachusetts. Upon graduating from New Bedford High School, Fred channeled his love of birds into a love of flight. He attended the East Coast Aeronautical School, and then worked as an airplane mechanic for Capital Airlines in Arlington, Virginia as he built flight hours in his own airplane. Capital trained Fred to become a commercial pilot, and he began his professional flying career as a co-pilot on the DC-3 out of Norfolk, Virginia. By the age of 25, he made Captain with Capital, which later merged into United Airlines and resulted in his transfer to New Jersey. At the time of his retirement at age 60, he was flying the Boeing 747 jumbo jet as the highest seniority pilot for the airline. Fred and Isabelle lived in Allenwood, New Jersey for 45 years, raising three children. He shared with them his love of flying, travel, and outdoor adventures including camping and skiing – a love that has now been passed down through generations. Fred and Isabelle thoroughly enjoyed tennis and made numerous friends on the courts. They traveled the world together, often with Fred in the cockpit! They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary last month. Fred was preceded in death by his son, Fred Michael Burgess. He is survived by his wife, Isabelle, and by their daughters Kathy Gumph (Jack) and Janet Crosson (Scott), daughter-in-law Gail Burgess, four grandchildren Katelyn Burgess (Michael Spewak), Michael Burgess (Cate), Shannon Fessenden (Sean) and Daniel Crosson (Nikkole) and four great-grandchildren, Luke, Patrick and Grace Fessenden and Eleanor Spewak. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to savethemanatee.org. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home. “To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check.” – Author unknown