Hugh F. Burgess, 85, of Evans City died Wednesday.

He was the beloved husband of 52 years of the late Florence (Paladino); proud father of Thomas Burgess, Ph.D., Michael (Lorie) Burgess and Alice (Jack) Jackanic; grandfather of Matthew (Carley) Jackanic and a great-granddaughter on the way; brother of Florence Coyne, Gerald Burgess and the late John, Milton and Albert.

Hugh was a 24-year volunteer at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 879 in Cranberry Township.

He served bravely with the 16th Signal Operation Battalion in the South Pacific and Japan during World War II, made four first-wave beach landings and decoded top secret messages for Army generals. He wrote a book of his WWII memoirs.

Hugh was a dedicated father, a humble, compassionate, kind-hearted and honest man. Rest in peace Dad and enjoy your Heavenly rewards.

<B>BURGESS</B> — Friends of Hugh F. Burgess, who died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, are welcome from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the <B>BRUSCO-NAPIER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Broadway and Shiras avenues, Beechview. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the St. Catherine of Siena Church. Interment will be at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery.