James Martin "Jim" Burg

TOPSFIELD- James Martin “Jim” Burg, 86, died peacefully on May 4, 2023. He was born on March 24, 1937 in Akron, Ohio to the late Henry M. Burg and Margaret I. Burg. Jim attended St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. After High school, Jim joined the Air Force in 1955 where he was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command Rapid City, SD, where he was a Communications Center Specialist. Jim was a professional musician and an accomplished bass player. He played with various Jazz bands, including the “The Tommy Dorsey Band.” He joined with a local piano player and worked weeknights and holidays for 9 years at “The Blue Fox” nightclub in Cleveland. Jim also accompanied some of the best Jazz musicians of that time. He had stories with Sammy Davis Jr. and had pictures on the wall with him, and other musicians at the Cedar Point Ballroom. He was a lifelong member of the American Federation of Musicians, including local chapter 24 in Cleveland, and other music organizations. Jim played music from 1955 until 2014. In his home, he had a beautiful piano, a few guitars, and his beloved stand-up bass. After his service in the Air Force, Jim attended National Radio School where he continued to study electrics. He could tell you how to build a stereo from the ground up. He attended Fenn College (Now Cleveland State University) from 1963-1974 and earned his BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. While attending college, Jim worked as Regional Vice President at Schweber Electronics until he was promoted to Vice President and relocated to Massachusetts in 1974. Jim traveled extensively in the United States and all throughout Europe, to oversee and promote the electronics business. He held numerous Manager, Vice President and President positions at a few big electronic distributors, including Bell Industries. After the sudden loss of his wife, Jim stopped traveling and got a job working at Kelly Infiniti where he worked for many years as a car salesman, so he could be home with his teenage daughter. He retired from Infiniti in his 70s and helped raise his granddaughter. Jim was a very good self-taught, scratch cook. He loved food and he could tell you all of the best places to eat all over the country. He was a devoted Catholic, and a member of the church. He even attended the Seminary for a short time. Jim is predeceased by his wife, Andrea Burg, his brother, Rev. Thomas Burg, his son, Gregory Burg and his daughter, Jaqueline Philbrik. He is survived by his brother, John “Jack” Burg, his sister, Rita Colangelo, his daughters, Amanda Cote, Bernadine Cotterill, Theresa Shephard, Frances Cuskey and son, Christopher Burg, his granddaughter Miley Burg (whom he helped raise) and an abundance of other grand and great grandchildren. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30AM on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 12 Park Street. Topsfield. Online directions and condolences are available at www.Lyons Funeral.com