Obituary of Gregg Burnett

Gregg Burnett, of Fairfield, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 following a long illness. He was the beloved husband of his "Tiny", Clare Burnett, his wife of almost 40 years, and the devoted father of his twin "critters", Jane and John. The son of John F. Burnett, Jr. and Lorraine S. Burnett, Gregg was born in Norwalk on April 2nd, 1953. A lifelong Fairfielder, he attended Roger Ludlowe High School, where he competed at an elite level in cross-country running, which became a lifelong passion. After graduating in 1971, he enrolled at Colgate University, where he matriculated in 1975 with a B.A. in history. He subsequently earned his Masters in Teaching at Colgate in 1978, and taught for several years at Bound Brook High School in New Jersey. He then went on to earn an MBA in Finance at NYU. He married his wife in 1982, and lived in Manhattan before returning to Fairfield, where they raised their twins. Gregg worked at several companies prior to becoming the Assistant Treasurer at L-3 Communications, where he spent the last two decades of his career before retiring. He was an avid reader and researcher of family ancestry, and in retirement loved to feed his backyard birds. A man of boundless zest for life, positivity, and creative spirit, Gregg brought these gifts to two of his greatest passions, music and running, and became an integral part of his community in both. He played a key role in the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, organizing over 300 concerts featuring some of the world's foremost "trad" musicians, many in his own home. A gifted musician himself, Gregg loved to play many different instruments, and passed on this enthusiasm to many students. Gregg also once again became part of the Ludlowe XC team as "Coach" Burnett, founding the Ludlowe XC Booster Club, compiling statistics, and providing advice and encouragement at countless meets as a "Forever Falcon". Gregg's greatest passion of all was his family, and he devoted himself selflessly to providing and caring for them. He is survived by his wife, his children, his brothers, John and Jeff, of Rhode Island, and several nieces and nephews. There will be calling hours at Lesko-Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, November 7th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Fairfield, on Monday, November 8th, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the cross-country running program at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, 785 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT 06824, to the attention of athletic director Todd Parness. For travel directions or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com