Lester W. Burgess, Jr.

Bloomfield- Lester W. Burgess, Jr., age 68 passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Lester was born on 10/1/1956 to  Lester and Mary Garratt Burgess in Canandaigua NY. He graduated from Marcus Whitman High School in 1975 and enlisted in the Army, serving for 4 years. He married his high school sweetheart Cynthia (Cyndi) McFetridge in 1977 and they enjoyed 48 years together. Upon leaving the Army they moved back to NY where he earned an associate’s degree in wildlife management at FLCC while working part time at Mobile Chemical, Canandaigua Winery and managing the West Hill Nature Preserve for the Nature Conservancy. In 1984 he and Cyndi moved to Tampa Florida where he sold real estate and then started his career with ITT Technical Institute in 1987. During his time in Tampa, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Tampa College. After a series of promotions he ended his 26 year career as College Director in Getzville NY retiring in 2013. In 2015 he and Cyndi moved to Furnace Mtn in Kentucky where they lived for 9 years retuning to NY to settle in Bloomfield in 2024. His hobbies were his Harley, woodworking and birding. He was an avid antique telephone collector and at one time had over 150 different candlestick telephones. He also loved to find, restore and resell vintage tools. 

He is survived by his wife Cyndi (McFetridge) Burgess, sister Kathy Burgess of New Port Richey Florida, Bob Burgess of Canandaigua NY and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service with military honors will be held in the fall on a date still to be determined. 

Any who wish to donate in his memory may do so at:

The Asher House. com or Wounded Warrior. Org Please visit www.perkinsamesfuneralhome.com to send a message of condolence to Lester’s family.