Frank Page Burford

1931 – 2022

Frank was born in Washington D.C. August 28, 1931.  His father was a Navy Admiral and his mother was a  “military brat”.  Both of his parents had deep roots in the west and Frank grew up in California, in the San Diego  and Coronado area.  He was just 10 years old when he was enrolled in a military boarding school, and later became a Navy officer. His parents were in Hawaii for the bombing of Pearl Harbor and his father, William  Burford, held the command of a ship that sank one of the first Japanese war ships.  Frank graduated at The  George Washington University in DC. 

The passions that animated Frank during his life were music, especially jazz, movies, sports, sailing, science and  history, travel, architecture art, and friendship. He especially loved Duke Ellington – one of his last utterances  was “great man” when it was pointed out that Duke Ellington was playing in his room.  He loved “What About  Bob?” movie, with Bill Murray, and could quote whole lines from dozens of movies.  He took piano lessons for a  couple of years in his 40s, and then taught himself chords and new tunes for the rest of his life.  He liked to ask for his family to “name a tune” and then try to work it out on the piano. 

Frank leaves behind two children – Doris, a labor and delivery nurse and Karl, a high school math teacher and  tennis coach – that he had with his first wife, Frances. He also leaves his wife of 35 years, Mary Burford.  Mary  and Frank were second loves for both of them – they called each other “my King” and “my Queen”. They  traveled, enjoyed shows and exhibits, and visited friends over the years. After living in New Rochelle, NY for  over 30 years they moved to Delray Beach in 2015.  Frank loved Delray life where he played tennis and swam,  made new friends that he played chess, cards and socialized with.  

After several years, he began to decline with dementia, but still enjoyed his family and friends, the piano, and  watching movies and politics.  His last days were spent at home with his wife and children and wonderful hospice care. 

Arrangements entrusted to: Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.