Howard Alan Burrage 1944-2006

NORTHAMPTON - Howard Alan Burrage was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts on December 2, 1944 to the late Earl and Dorilla (Boucher) Burrage. He died August 10, 2006 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts of congestive heart failure and sepsis with his daughter by his side. Howard graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield Massachusetts in 1964. After attending Marist College for one year, he enlisted in the Air Force and spent his time in the service in Biloxi, Mississippi learning Morse Code. After discharge, he returned to Springfield, attending American International College full time as an English major while working full time as an orderly at Baystate Medical Center. In 1970, he joined the Ludlow Junior High School faculty as an English teacher and several years later transferred to Ludlow High School as an English and Drama teacher. He remained on the faculty for twenty years until the cumulative effects of his bipolar disorder took its toll and precipitated his early retirement. While at LHS, he taught Drama classes and was the advisor for the Drama Club. During his time with the Drama Club, he continuously pushed himself and his students to strive to be the best, to always reach higher. Over his career, the group entered many state drama competitions that garnered awards and recognition throughout Massachusetts and New England. His children Chris and Beth developed their love of theater and acting both genetically and experientially as students of their father at Ludlow High School. Howard also enjoyed directing musical comedies for various local community theaters including "Finian's Rainbow", "Gypsy" and "The Music Man". His greatest personal triumph was "Camelot" directed for the Exit Seven Players. Howard was proud to be a founding father of the Exit Seven Players, rescuing an unused, somewhat decrepit old auditorium in the former Ludlow Junior High School building for their home. The company is still going strong some 20 plus years later. Howard spent the last years of his life living in Northampton. He directed several plays there and even last year was taking acting classes at Holyoke Community College. Howard was a dedicated volunteer at the Northampton Survival Center. He was well known and well loved at the Walter Salvo House where he lived and leaves many good friends there including Jim and Ray. Those who know and love Howard know that he was broken physically and spiritually by the death of his son Christopher J. Burrage on January 1, 2005 from cancer at the age of 34. He declined physically over the 18 month's since his son's death. We know he is sad to leave his beautiful daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Burrage of Ludlow and her twin girls Hannah and Emily, age 8, who early on named him "Boppa" and "Candy Man" much to his delight. He also leaves Elizabeth's partner Bryan Cohen of whom he was very fond. Howard is survived by his former wife, Bonita (Bonnie) Krotkov of Hadley, Massachusetts. Despite their divorce, they remained friends and shared the love of their children and grandchildren and the profound grief in the loss of their son. He also leaves his daughter-in-law, Robin O. Burrage of Malden, legions of drama aficionados, both amateur and professional, and his feline friend Benvolio. Two brothers and a sister survive him. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions in Howard's memory may be made to the Northampton Survival Center, the Walter Salvo House Tenants Association or to a charity of one's choice that supports the needs of people with mental illness. We know that somewhere Chris and Howard are together again in a joyful reunion and enjoying a spirited discussion of theater. Arrangements are entrusted to Nowak Funeral and Cremation Services, Springfield.