Obituary of Paul J. Burgess

Paul John Burgess of Odessa, New York passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday December 25, 2021, at the age of 76. A visitation for Paul is planned for Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 1 pm to 3 pm. The visitation will be at the Vedder-Scott & Zinger Funeral Home on 123 Genesee Street, Montour Falls, New York. All are invited to attend. The funeral will follow immediately at 3 pm. Born in Rathfarnum, Dublin, Ireland on May 23,1945, Paul was the oldest son of John and Sheila Burgess. In 1967, Paul met Susan O'Brien, an American student at Trinity College in Dublin. They fell in love and got married in Dublin. In 1968, the newlyweds immigrated to Susan's hometown of Elmira, New York. After a few years, they purchased a farmhouse in Odessa, New York. They raised their children Oisin (Owen) Burgess and Sheila Burgess Klemann. It was on the farm that Paul could collect and care for countless animals of all shapes and sizes, becoming a true Irish country gentleman. His animals were a constant source of entertainment. He was a master storyteller. Paul would enrapture his listeners with tales of the animals that were filled with outrageous details and lots of humor. After a short detour that took Paul and Susan to live in El Paso, Texas to work with their son Oisin, they returned to Odessa where he resided for the rest of his life. Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years Susan Burgess of Odessa, NY; son Oisin Burgess of El Paso, Texas, daughter Sheila (Stephen) Klemann of Watkins Glen, NY; sister Laura (Ronald) Mathews of Montour Falls, brother Rory (Rosemary) Burgess of Temple Park, Dartry, Dublin 6, Ireland, his sister Caroline (Noel) Kavanaugh of Old Castle, Co, Meath, Ireland and sister Lynn (Peter) La Grue of Kill, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Paul is also survived by several grandchildren, great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, both home and abroad.