Obituary for Joseph Walter Burton
Joseph W. Burton (Jay), beloved husband of Martha (nee Noecker) died Thursday at Samaritan Hospice, Virtua Memorial Mt. Holly. He is survived by a daughter Holly Buonpastore (Tony) of Fort Myers, Florida; four grandchildren, David, James, Emily, and Sarah; three great-grandsons, Jonah, Benjamin, and Aldo IV; and a brother, Jonathan (Ann Marie) of Pennsylvania. He held a special place in his heart for a nephew, Joseph Darlington (Brenda) of Browns Mills, New Jersey.
Joseph was a man of many talents and great intellect. He was a handyman supreme, would build anything Martha requested of him. One of his accomplishments was a greenhouse to house his collection of tropical bonsai. He was a whiz at anything electronic and the house sound-system was just one example. He loved being out in the yard, planting, pruning, tending his herb garden and bonsai when the weather permitted. Until his health issues made it difficult, he was a dedicated cyclist, well into his eighties. Joseph was the cook of the house and delighted in giving gifts of home-made bread and his special split-pea soup.
If you wanted to know about something, he was the man to ask. He had perfect recall of anything read or heard. He was a student of History, particularly the Civil War. He had extensive knowledge of the weather and the voice to have been a great television weather man. He enjoyed reading C.S. Forester’s Hornblower Series and the series written by PG Wodehouse. He could be found surrounded by the beautiful strains of classical music, many of the themes so familiar from his childhood.
While in the Army, Joseph was stationed in the New York City at what was then called the Pictoral Center. It was there where he worked making films for the Armed Forces. This Army stint led to his education at Temple University and eventually becoming a sound technician for CBS. His work there included doing audio for the Jackie Gleason Shows and Ed Sullivan Shows. During that time, he created many of the special effects seen on those programs. Highlights of that time were meeting JFK and many other celebrities. Oh, the stories he could tell.
Joseph did much work in the development of WHYY. At the 50th anniversary of the station, a newspaper photo shows a very young Joseph pushing the button, putting the station on the air.
Joseph was the kindest of men, a loving husband, and friend. Missing him along with family and friends will be his precious kitties Big Boy, Widget, and especially Little Miss.
How very blessed we were to have known you, dearest Jay.
A service will be held at some later time.
Joseph was a man of many talents and great intellect. He was a handyman supreme, would build anything Martha requested of him. One of his accomplishments was a greenhouse to house his collection of tropical bonsai. He was a whiz at anything electronic and the house sound-system was just one example. He loved being out in the yard, planting, pruning, tending his herb garden and bonsai when the weather permitted. Until his health issues made it difficult, he was a dedicated cyclist, well into his eighties. Joseph was the cook of the house and delighted in giving gifts of home-made bread and his special split-pea soup.
If you wanted to know about something, he was the man to ask. He had perfect recall of anything read or heard. He was a student of History, particularly the Civil War. He had extensive knowledge of the weather and the voice to have been a great television weather man. He enjoyed reading C.S. Forester’s Hornblower Series and the series written by PG Wodehouse. He could be found surrounded by the beautiful strains of classical music, many of the themes so familiar from his childhood.
While in the Army, Joseph was stationed in the New York City at what was then called the Pictoral Center. It was there where he worked making films for the Armed Forces. This Army stint led to his education at Temple University and eventually becoming a sound technician for CBS. His work there included doing audio for the Jackie Gleason Shows and Ed Sullivan Shows. During that time, he created many of the special effects seen on those programs. Highlights of that time were meeting JFK and many other celebrities. Oh, the stories he could tell.
Joseph did much work in the development of WHYY. At the 50th anniversary of the station, a newspaper photo shows a very young Joseph pushing the button, putting the station on the air.
Joseph was the kindest of men, a loving husband, and friend. Missing him along with family and friends will be his precious kitties Big Boy, Widget, and especially Little Miss.
How very blessed we were to have known you, dearest Jay.
A service will be held at some later time.