New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Member Richard “Moon” Burgess Passes-Away
Durham, CT — Pioneering New England stock car racer Richard “Moon” Burgess passed-away on Wednesday, March 17 after suffering a serious stroke earlier in the month.
Burgess started his career in the midgets during the 1940’s, switching to stock cars later in the decade. He competed with success at virtually every track in the region including Thompson, Waterford, Plainville, Riverside Park, Kingston, Candlelight Stadium, Cherry Park, West Haven, and others,
Teamed with car owner Joe Fontana, Burgess experienced his greatest degree of success while behind the controls of the potent “Flying Eagle” #1 coupe.
He retired from the sport in 1953 after a relatively brief but spectacular career in which he won over 200 races including 63 feature events in addition to a track championship.
Burgess was a founding member of the New England Antique Racers (NEAR). He was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Mass will be on Saturday March 20 at 11:30 A.M. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 272 Main St. Durham, CT. Friends and family are invited to later attend a celebration of Moon’s life from 2:00-5:00 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT.
Burgess leaves his wife Rita, children Rich, Jr. and Sharon, and grandchildren.
Sources: NEAR PR