Thomas G. Burris
... P.E.R. Tewks-Wilm Elks; 71
HUDSON, NH - Thomas G. Burris, age 71, a Past Exalted Ruler of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks, died Thursday, June 28, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Marilyn A. "Mal" (Lapham) Burris, with whom he would have celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary today, June 29th.
He was born in Lowell, on January 24, 1936, the only child of Maxwell and Emily (Marsh) Burris. He was raised in Tewksbury, and graduated from Tewksbury High School with the class of 1957. He lived in Tewksbury the greater part of his life before retiring to Hudson, N.H. in 1989. He remained a communicant of St. William's Parish in Tewksbury throughout his life.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era, and was honorably discharged as a Machinist's Mate 3rd Class. He had served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Wasp for his sea duty.
He founded the T.G. Burris and Son Plumbing & Heating Company in Tewksbury, which remains active and family owned under the new name, Burris Plumbing and Heating Company.
Mr. Burris was well known within the Elks community for his tireless devotion to the Elk's organization. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Tewksbury-Wilmington, Lodge 2070, in 72-73 and had held every position of officer within the lodge during his long career. He was especially active in the Elks National Foundation and had also attended many national Elk's conventions as a delegate from Massachusetts.
He was also a former member of the Fr. Coppen's Council, Knights of Columbus in Tewksbury, and the Tewksbury Veteran's Association.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four children, Theresa "Terry" Smith, Kevin T. Burris and his wife Inga (Fosse), Barbara Baker and her husband David all of Hudson, NH, and Patricia Dascoli and her husband Michael of Tewksbury; his mother-in-law, Ida Cann of Tewksbury; a sister-in law and brother-in-law, Marsha and Arthur Sawin of Lowell; ten grandchildren, Emily and Jason Smith, Ian and Matthew Burris, Rachel Baker all of Hudson, NH, Erin Collinge and her husband Nathaniel of Tyngsboro, Kevin Burris, Keith Burris, Deanna and Michael Dascoli all of Tewksbury; two great grandchildren, Kalli-Rose and Kaelyn; and several nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, July 2, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial with Navy Honors followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Elks National Foundation c/o Tewks-Wilm Elks Lodge #2070, 777 South St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 or American Lung Assn., 460 Totten Pond Rd., Suite 400, Waltham, MA 02451 will be appreciated.