Spence Frank Burton

Spence Frank Burton passed away on June 22, 2017 with his beloved wife Cathy and dear friends at his side after a long courageous battle with lung cancer.  Born in Brooklyn, NY on January 12, 1948, Spence was the son of the late James William Burton and Calogera Sacco.  

 

Spence grew up on Long Island, NY, graduating from St. Teresa of Avila Grammar School and Archbishop Molloy High School.  He started working at the United States Postal Service at a young age, where he worked for 35+ years as a USPS Letter Carrier and later as an Automation specialist, primarily in San Francisco.  He was very active in the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC); he served as President of NALC Branch 214, Director of Education for the California State Association of Letter Carriers, and was an active delegate to numerous conventions. An advocate for worker rights, he helped many people during his career.

 

In 1970 Spence came out west from NY to Daly City, CA and due to fortuitous circumstances met the love of his life, Cathy (Catherine Paula Balestrieri).  They married in 1973.  In 1976 they moved to Petaluma, residing there for almost 41 years, forming many friendships and getting involved in community life.  

 

Spence was very involved in community and church activities.  Always interested in politics and public service, he served as a Petaluma City Planning Commissioner,and was a candidate for the Petaluma City Council.  He was involved in many community groups. He served as the President of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 127 and as President of the ICF Santa Rosa District Council.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Petaluma Council 1586; and he was a member of the Elks Lodge # 901.  He was a parishioner of St. James Roman Catholic Church and spearheaded an outdoors project there.   He enjoyed organizing and conducting meetings in his positions as President and was very technologically astute, creating websites for organizations and for personal use as well.

 

Loving to travel, Spence and Cathy traveled extensively, especially to Europe where they made numerous trips.  Part of the trips included visiting Spence’s family in Sicily and Germany and doing extensive genealogical research.  One particular project that Spence enjoyed with his wife Cathy was the Italian Exchange Program that they started at Tomales High School, a sister school program that brought students from Spence’s family’s ancestral town in Sicily to the US to stay with THS students and vice versa. 

 

Family and friends were exceedingly important to Spence.  He is predeceased by the following siblings:  Erma Grace Viola, Donald Irwin Burton, Barry David Burton, and James William Burton Jr. He is survived by his adoring wife Cathy; brothers Ralph Burton (wife Renee) and Otto Joseph Samek, Jr.; sister-in-law Marlene Casissa, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Especially close to Spence were his niece Eileen Munro and family (husband Bill and children Riley and Erin) of Australia and his California cousins Laurie and Don Walsh, Ed and Missy Gillen, Vicki Rosenberg, Barry Rosenberg and Chris and Joan Gillen, and their families, including godsons Danny Rosenberg and Sean Gillen. 

 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Gary Lombardi and Father Lawrence Mutiso at Saint James Catholic Church, 125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, CA on Monday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m .with a reception immediately following.   A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 9, from 11:00-6:00, with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at the Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St. Petaluma, CA.  Private interment.  Memorial donations may be sent to St. James Catholic Church, 125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, CA 94954. 

Visitation

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Sunday, July 09, 2017 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM 850 Keokuk Street
Petaluma, California 94952 Directions   Vigil Service

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Sunday, July 09, 2017 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 850 Keokuk Street
Petaluma, California 94952 Directions   Funeral Mass

St. James Catholic Church

Monday, July 10, 2017 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway
Petaluma, CA 94954 Directions  

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