Wendy,

So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I am glad he lived such a full life and accomplished so much. He has so much to be proud of, his legacy continues with you and the rest of your family.

God Bless your dad and your whole family through this time.

Warmest wishes

Tom Harbit

Dear Mary,

I was very sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept Carol Jean's and my deepest sympathies.

We know that the family which you and Paul raised and nurtured surround you. We wish we could be there in person to add in a small way to their support and comfort for you.

With all kind regards. Mike

After Glow

I'd like the memory of me

to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an after glow

of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo

whispering softly down the ways,

of happy times and laughing times,

and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who

grieve to dry before the sun

of happy memories that I leave

When life is done.

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on his tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years for that dash represents

all the time that he spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved him know what that

little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own;

The cars, the house, the cash, what matters is how we

live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real and always try to understand

the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger,

and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives

like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

To the Burgess family- we are so sorry to hear of Paul's passing. From the very little time we knew Paul, he touched our lives in a big way. Gosh, if him and Brett would have met earlier, can you imagine the stories between the two of them? What a strong, great man he was and we could tell he was very, very special to his family. We are so sorry that we were not able to attend his services, this snowstorm made for some crazy work hours for Brett. Our sincere condolences to all of you. May he rest in peace, much love to all!

To the Burgess Family,

Sorry to hear of your loss!!!!! What I learned when my mom passed away July 23, 2008 is you take one day at a time,

you live for the memories and it shows your support system! If their is anything I can do let me know because I know what its like to lose a parent. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!!!

Mary and Family. So sorry to learn of Paul's passing. He was a wonderful man. Enjoyed all the opportunities I had to work with him and all of you over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mary,

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Seeing you and Paul always made my day so much better. He was a great man and will truly be missed.

Alyssa from Solon Retierment Village

Mary... I am sorry to hear that Paul passed away. I never really knew him but have always heard such nice things about him and your special relationship. I know you will miss him so much but am happy that you have a close loving family and many friends. God bless you and your family...He will hold you up. Love and hugs.

To the entire Burgess Family: Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family. Your husband/dad was an outstanding man. We know that this is a difficult time for all of you. We are in Texas and won't be able to attend the services but you're in our thoughts.

Trace, and the entire Burgess family- Makes me sad to look at your Dads photo. He was such a great man. Throughout the years we really enjoyed Paul coming in with the other bowlers, after bowling night. Always giving us a hard time :) He will have plenty of stories to share with Dad when they sit down for a cup or several cups of coffee. I have kept you all in my prayers during his illness, and when I learned of his passing. I will continue to pray for peace for your family. You are grieving a tremendous loss and I hope that the many memories that you have all shared together can bring you comfort.

Love you all-

Krista Poulsen

Mary, my sincere sympathy to you and your family. Paul was a good and helpful neighbor, especially to someone new to the area. Not only for me, but earlier for Tom and Janet. He was much appreciated.

Burgess Family I am very sorry for your loss. Paul was such a great man an awesome neighbor to have all those years. Keep all the good memories in your hearts forever. You all will be in my prayer's in the days to come. God Bless You All.

Your Family is in my thoughts and prayers. Find comfort in all your happy memories that were made through your times together.

I am so sorry to hear of Paul's passing. Paul and I were classmates at City High were Paul displayed his athletic abilities in football, baseball and wrestling. Although Paul and I were not "close" friends he was a "good" friend. He was always soft spoken, pleasant and a joy to be around. I always looked forward to a conversation with he and Mary at our reunions. Paul and Mary's home on Bloomington St. is just a few blocks from where my parents lived for many years. I would on occasion see and chat briefly with Paul and or Mary in their yard or I would see Paul picking up my parents neighbor, because they rode to work together. My conversations with Paul were usually about his fishing around Iowa City and my fishing here in Washington. I am truly sorry that I didn't spend more time with Paul. He was a "Man's Man", Good Husband, Good Father, Good Worker, and Good Friend. If all of us were like Paul it would be a better world in which to live. I will miss him.

Mary, please except our condolences. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

To know Paul was to like Paul, I do not believe he every had an enemy. We had some of the best times growing up in Coralville from the two room school house to City High. From the pheasant hunting to fishing at the power house dam. Thanks Paul for your friendship and the good memories. Our prayers and Love are with you always

My condolences. He was a great guy, I worked with him at the Physical Plant for 12 years. He taught me so much about work and about life. All my best to the family.

Mary Burgess & Family,

You have my deepest sympathy in the passing of Paul. My brother Ed told me in phone conversation this morning. Thank Rachel for sending me this link. God bless you all!

We want to send Our Condolences To All of Paul's Family on Your Loss of A wonderful man.

To listen of the stories Our Father would relate to us as these two guys grew up together. Our Dad valued Paul as a friend.

Our Prayer is for You All to remember all the Beautiful Memories you had together....May God Put His Blessings On You & Give You Strength....

The Family of Al Niswander...

My good memories of Paul go way back to when he was a pin-setter at the old Coral Lanes bowling alley. He was always smiling, but you had better think twice about shaking hands with Paul He had a grip-of-steel. I remember seeing him on the City High football field, and on the wrestling mat, performing for coach Clyde Bean. And seeing Paul drive that old black 1940's Chevrolet. He was friendly to everyone. Paul was a nice guy.

My condolences to Paul's family. We've lost a very nice guy. RIP, Paul!

So sorry to hear of Paul's passing. My friend the late Vance Moore and myself

used to admire his ability in athletics,and since all 3 of us were living in Goosetown,and were in Class of "57 at City High, we were considered "northenders", according to my father and Coach "Chick" Forwald. Anyway, his passing leaves a lot of fond memories.You are in my thoughts and prayers.God Bless.

Traci and all of Paul's family. You are in my thoughts and prayer.

My heartfelt sympathy, Mary and family. Paul was just special, always a smile and warm hello. Often the first face I saw at Lion's meetings. Bill loved to reminisce about their City High days with him. Wendy, I know you are heartbroken and Ann wishes she could here to comfort you as you did for her. Our family sends love. thoughts and prayers and we give thanks for the privilege of knowing Paul.

I just wanted Paul's family to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry to hear of Paul's passing, he was a great man. Hugs to you all!

Please accept our deepest sympathies. We know Paul will be greatly missed. He was such a great person. It seems like forever ago that we were backyard neighbors. But there are such great memories of what awesome neighbors the whole Burgess family was. Take care! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Tim and Julie Taylor

We we're honored to have known Paul. He had a presence about him that just made you feel at ease and welcomed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Love from: Gino, Rochelle, Julia and Victoria Treni.

I first met Mary Burgess, Paul's wife, before I met Paul. Paul's illness had begun so I really came to know Paul through Mary. I learned Paul was 100%+ a man of integrity, honesty and kindness who loved fishing and outdoors. Mary told me many stories but one that sticks is Paul creating what I will call a "floatation device" to rescue chipmunks that wandered into their swimming pool on Bloomington Street. What I also learned from Mary is a real life love story she and Paul shared. Witnessing Mary's devotion taking care of Paul was truly inspirational. I was also fortunate to witness the great love for Paul by his children. Big Paul is fishing everyday now next to Paul Jr., watching all the grand kids grow up and remaining by Mary's side so she'll never be without him. Julie Beasley

Thank you, in those last days, for letting me witness the love you have for your Paul. I could see from the very first how much he was honored, respected and loved, loved, loved by all of you. Take good care of one another. Barb