Norton lost one of its most honorable and dedicated citizens this week. Fred Burchill, one of the toughest yet most gentle people I have ever known, passed away Sunday night. He was 86 years old.
He was not a politician. He was not famous. The town’s baseball complex is named after his late son Lee, but Fred did not like being noticed.
Still, he leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to family unmatched in my somewhat limited knowledge. His is a story that must never be forgotten. He is a true Norton legend, and legends must never be allowed to die.
By way of explaining to you the importance and dignity of this man, I’d like to share a slightly edited version of something I wrote more than ten years ago in a now-defunct publication. It was penned to mark one important occasion, but has at least as much meaning today.
This is from 2006:
“As I stood on the turf of Robert Adams Field at Norton High School last Friday night, it suddenly seemed like 1972 again.
Looking around, I could see old friend Duke Zumalt snapping the ball to old friend Lee Burchill. Those two kids now rest near each other in Timothy Plain cemetery, no doubt discussing those old games.
We were gathered to retire the number 14 of Lee, the former NHS quarterback who was tragically shot in his senior year of 1972. He became a quadriplegic, forever altering his life and the lives of those who loved him.
Lee would live for nine more years. Despite the pain and suffering he endured, he also got to experience an absolutely amazing amount of love and support from his family and friends.
Although we were there to honor Lee and his memory, I could not help but think this night perhaps belonged even more to his father, Fred Burchill. And that it was long overdue.
Fred Burchill grew up in the city outside Boston, where he was an excellent student. He married the beautiful Rita, and they moved to Norton to raise their two sons, Lee and Joe.
Fred drove truck for a living, something he would do faithfully for 40 years. Life was good and normal – until October 14, 1972 when it changed forever.
Fred and Rita totally uprooted their lives and home to care for their oldest son, rather than place him in an institution. They never considered it a sacrifice.
Because of the love and care they provided, Lee was able to live nine fruitful years. They treated him as just one of their kids, rather than a quadriplegic. That enabled him to flourish and survive.
Caring for Lee took a lot out of his devoted parents, and while his death deeply affected them both, it had a devastating effect on Rita. Years after her oldest passed on, cancer would claim Rita’s life, leaving just Fred and Joe.
But Joe was in poor health, as this incredible family continued to be given all they could handle. When Joe needed a kidney to survive, he had to look no further than his father. Fred gave him that kidney without a second thought, and that gave Joe valuable time with his children Shawn and Vanessa before he also passed away.
That left Fred in the unnatural position of having survived both his children. That might have destroyed a lesser man, but not Fred Burchill.
Fred continues to live in Norton today because it is his home. He admits to sometimes asking why he was left here, the sole surviving member of his immediate family. But then he looks at his grandchildren and extended family, and has his answer.
Late last Friday night, Fred said he thinks he was also left here this long so he could participate in the meaningful ceremony for his son Lee. He was amazed that 25 years after Lee’s death, people still remember -- and care.
My own Dad passed away this year, and he can never be replaced. But if I had to choose someone else I’d want to be my dad, Fred Burchill would be at the top of my list.
If Fred Burchill had a number, it would be retired next to that of his son.”
Norton lost a piece of its soul this week. But the legend of Fred Burchill will live on.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.