Raymond J. Burgwinkle, Jr

LEOMINSTER/CLINTON – Raymond “Duke” J. Burgwinkle, Jr., passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at UMass Memorial – Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster. Born and raised in Clinton, Duke was the son of Raymond J. and Gladys (Wetherell) Burgwinkle and lived the last 27 years in Leominster.

Duke graduated from Clinton High School in 1960. He worked over forty years at Colonial Press in Clinton and Courier in Westford before retiring in 2003. His favorite past time was simply relaxing at home watching his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He enjoyed playing cribbage and pitch with his family and friends and will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and easy going nature.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 40 years, Cecelia J. (Rugg) Burgwinkle; two sons, Richard J. Burgwinkle and his wife, Susan of Clinton and Ronald J. Burgwinkle of Clinton; three daughters, Kimberly A. Gorski of Nashua, NH, Lisa A Cummins and her husband, Daniel of Leominster and Jennifer M. Vidito and her husband, Bruce of Spencer; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Edward Gorski of Leominster. Besides his parents, Duke is predeceased by his daughter, Gayle H. Upton.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Duke’s family from 3 to 5pm on Saturday, December 15, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling, followed by a funeral service honoring his life at 5 pm. The Rev. Daniel Condon will be officiating. Burial will be held privately at Hillside Cemetery in Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Waltham, MA 02451. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.