Franklin D. Burgess

Franklin Delano "Frank" Burgess, 91, passed peacefully on February 11, 2026, surrounded by his family following a brief illness.

Frank was born on May 26, 1934, in Plattsburgh, New York, to Violet and Earl Burgess. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Earl Burgess Jr.; his grandson, Kyle Burgess; and his daughter-in-law, Cindy Burgess.

On September 7th, 1957. Frank married the love of his life, Rose (Landry). Together they shared 69 years of marriage, building a life rooted in devotion, hard work, and family. They raised six children who carry forward his steady example: Paul (Lisa) Burgess of Indian Lake; Wendy (Gary) Sisti of Indian Lake; Tom (Barbara) Burgess of Queensbury; Ollie (Dana) Burgess of Saranac Lake; Robert (Cindy) Burgess of Florida; and Tacey Shannon of Indian Lake. Frank was a proud grandfather to Aurora (Britin) Burgess, Nino (Vivian) Burgess, Travis Sisti, Carrie (Matt) Zappone, Tom (Kimberly) Burgess, Andy (Devon) Burgess, Betsy (Joe) Morasco, Adam (Emily)Burgess, Lauren (Sam) Piper, Molly Burgess, Megan Burgess, Michael Burgess, Landry (Madison)Shannon, Patrick (Bridget) Shannon, and Rose Shannon. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren.  If there are dogs in Heaven, Frank's two beloved Labrador retrievers, Charlie and Pal, were surely there to greet him at the gates, tails wagging and hearts full of devotion.

Frank worked for the Town of Indian Lake for many years. In retirement, he enjoyed working as a gardener at the Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, taking pride in keeping the grounds carefully tended. Frank and Rose also took great pride in running their family farm, where they raised their children. There, they taught them the value of hard-working respect for nature-raising animals, growing crops, and caring for the land that sustained both their family and their way of life.

Frank's life was guided by simple, steady values that he lived every day. Family came first. He believed in showing up, working hard, and doing what needed to be done without complaint. He found deep satisfaction in caring for the land, tending a garden, stacking wood, or simply watching the weather roll in. He will be remembered for the quiet pride he took in doing things well. His lawn was always impeccable, his woodpile precisely stacked, and his workshop so well ordered that he could lay his

hand on any tool at a moment's notice. He also served as the unofficial meteorologist for the family, able at any time to provide a detailed weather report for all his children and grandchildren-from California, Maine, Lithuania, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Saranac Lake, and Florida- often more reliably than the evening news.

Frank believed in a simple life done well. Hard work wasn't something to talk about; it was something you just did, whether that meant tending the farm, fixing what was broken, or re-stacking a woodpile that was already perfectly fine but "could be better." He valued the land, fresh air, and honest effort, and he carried a dry sense of humor that kept everyone on their toes. He didn't need much-just his family close by, a job done right, and weather he could accurately predict better than anyone else.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Wendy from Warren County Public Health, as well as Stacy and Tammy at Elderwood Nursing Home, for their exceptional care and attention during the last months and weeks of Frank's life.

In keeping with Frank's wishes, a private family celebration of life will be held.  There will be no public funeral service.  He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

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