Thomas W. Burger, 77, of Orange County, NY and Vero Beach, FL, passed away on August 8, 2013, after a short illness.
Born on September 13, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late George Dean and Regina Gertrude (Dooling) Burger.
After graduating from high school he enlisted in the US Army, serving in France and Germany from 1954-56.. Upon discharge, he worked for New York Telephone Co. for ten years before joining the New York City Fire Department. He was a Firefighter with Engine Company 318 in Coney Island, NY for 21 years, finishing his career in Queens at Engine Company 326. He retired in 1997 after completing 32 years of Fire Department service. He was recognized in 1971 for the rescue of three children from a burning building in Coney Island.
He was a member of the New York City Retired Firefighters of Orange County and the Hudson Valley, NY and the FDNY Steuben Society.
Tommy was an avid sportsman all his life. He enjoyed baseball, softball, golf, track and field events, dragon boating, canoeing, cycling and running. He participated in many running events throughout the region and in the World Fire Games and the World Police and Fire Games nationally and internationally. He was the proud winner of numerous medals in track and field and dragon boating. Tommy was a member of the Dutchess County, NY Senior Softball league and the Port St. Lucie Senior Softball League in Florida since his retirement. He looked forward to playing every year in the Cape Cod, MA Classic Senior Softball Tournament every September. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm, team spirit, outstanding playing abilities and sportsmanship.
He is survived by his three daughters: Kathleen Potral of Austin, TX, Patricia Burger of New York City, and Jean Burger and her partner, Ben Niles of Beacon, NY; his grandchildren: Richard, Breanne, Carolyn, Sophie, Violet, Beatrice and Otis; his longtime companion, Rosanne Reidy of Ossining, NY; sister, Mary Lou Moran of Dunmore, PA. He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 11th, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 am on Monday at St. Stephens RC Church, Warwick, followed by interment in Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen, with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.