Obituary for Mr. James Peter Burger Burger – James Peter Burger, age 95, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on June 9, 2018 at Oak View Rehabilitation Center in Orange Park with his loving family by his side. Jim was born in Lanesville, NY on August 29, 1922 to the late Peter Burger and Esther Barber Burger. Being the oldest boy, he dropped out of school to help support his family through the Great Depression.
He worked on farms, and filled in on baseball teams at Catskill Mountain resorts to earn extra cash and have some fun. He hunted and inherited his father’s love of fly fishing, and pieced together a Harley Davidson from a junkyard for transportation. In 1942, Jim joined the United States Army and proudly served during World War II.
He was a Combat Medic in the 104th Infantry (the Timberwolves). He was captured on the front lines, and held as a Prisoner of War in Germany. He earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other accolades.
The Timberwolf motto was “Nothing in Hell Can Stop the Timberwolves,” and he held to that line of thinking his entire life. After his honorable discharge in 1945, Jim met and later married the love of his life, Juanita. They were inseparable for 54 years and did everything together, whether it was sewing or working on the car.
Jim not only loved Juanita as a best friend and companion; he said he owed his life to her for pulling him out of the darkest time of his life after coming back from the war. Jim stumbled into being an auctioneer in the 50’s, and made that and antiques his career for over 30 years, until retiring due to health issues. Auction goers in the Catskills called him the Silver Fox.
In 1961, Jim and Juanita took custody of their granddaughter Debbie, and he became a Dad. Whether it was changing diapers, pretending to be Santa Claus, fixing a bike, trying to teach her to fly fish, tolerating clarinet practice, or carting her to Girl Scouts or skiing lessons, he did it with infinite patience and love. Jim also enjoyed watching the Mets and Red Sox, current events, gardening, garage sales, collecting coins, and tinkering, but most of all, he loved his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Juanita Burger; his stepchildren Donald Fairbairn and Sheryl Karabinos, his sisters, Millie Wager and Kay Drescher; and his brothers, Clarence and Clement Burger. Jim is survived by his loving granddaughter, Debbie (Dan) Dlugosz of Jacksonville, FL; grandson Al (Cookie) Fitch of Clemson; another granddaughter Vickey Hand; great grandson DJ, who brought a special twinkle to his eye; his brother, Floyd (Betty) Burger of West Camp, NY, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of James’s life will be held on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Beaches Memorial Park Chapel with Reverend Frank E. Bishop officiating.
Interment will follow Beaches Memorial Park where military honors will be rendered. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service in the Beaches Memorial Park Chapel. Attendees are invited to wear his favorite color blue if they want, and to bring a single flower to lay on the casket as a token of their love.
In addition to or in lieu of flower arrangements, donations can be made to Fisher House Foundation at fisherhourse.org or Community Hospice at communityhospice.com. The arrangements are under the care and direction of V. TODD FERREIRA FUNERAL SERVICES at Beaches Memorial Park, 1500 Main Street, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233. 904-249-1166.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. James Peter Burger please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation JUN 15. 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Beaches Memorial Park 1500 Main Street Atlantic Beach, FL, US, 32233 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before James’ Visitation begins.
Celebration of Life Service JUN 15. 02:00 PM Beaches Memorial Park 1500 Main Street Atlantic Beach, FL, US, 32233 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Service Guaranteed delivery before James’ Celebration of Life Service begins.
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