Sidney A. Burleigh, 79; South Glastonbury Resident Who Was U.S. Air Force Veteran, Retired Truck and School Bus Driver

From D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel.

Sidney A. Burleigh, 79, of South Glastonbury, loving husband for 49 years to Carolyn (Benech) Burleigh, peacefully passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015 with his caring family by his side at Hartford Hospital.

Born in Bangor, ME on May 16, 1935, a son of the late Ralph and Olive (Gellerson) Burleigh, he had been a resident of South Glastonbury for the past 31 years.

Sidney was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Prior to his retirement he was employed as a Driver by Tobacco Valley Sanitation Company and later by the Glastonbury Board of Education as a School Bus Driver.

A talented wood worker, Sidney enjoyed making furniture for his family and friends. He also liked fishing and working around his home and yard. Most of all, Sidney was a devoted family man who loved being with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Along with his beloved wife, Carolyn, Sidney is survived by two sons, Brian Gray of Shelley, ID, James L. Burleigh and his wife, Bonnie, of Lebanon; a daughter, Janet Kerr of South Glastonbury; a sister-in-law, Bettina Portaluppi and her husband, Edward, of Glastonbury; seven special grandchildren, Renate Gase, Brandon Gray, Samantha Rivard, Ryan Kerr, Emily Kerr, Jacob Burleigh, Christopher Burleigh; four adored great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Wednesday (May 20th) at 10 am at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Green Cemetery, Hubbard Street, Glastonbury. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Tuesday (May 19th) from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Sidney’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook Street, I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.