David McIntyre Burgess

David McIntyre Burgess, a Westport-based handyman and caretaker known for caring as much about his clients as about their homes, died Sept. 15, 2026, after a two-year struggle with increasingly serious health problems.

David was born in Dobbs Ferry, NY, on March 21, 1954, to Julian Ayres Burgess and Virginia McIntyre Burgess. In 1966, the family moved to Westport; and although as a young man David would travel widely, it was always Westport he returned to, eventually making it his permanent home.

Height ran in the family, and by 10 years old David seemed as tall as a tree to his friends, who nicknamed him “David Birdhouse,” later shortened to “Birdie.” As a young boy David was extremely short-sighted, but this was discovered and corrected in the 4th grade. Once equipped with eyeglasses he started reading fiction and never stopped; he especially enjoyed science-fiction and mysteries. And when in his early 60s he converted a former delivery van into a motorhome, he made sure to install enough bookshelves for a small library.

David’s father, Julian, was an electronics engineer by profession, but also a hobbyist who when young tinkered with car engines, and when older designed and built both motorboats and sailboats. As a boy David was fascinated by all this. His first workshop was in the basement of the family house in North Burritts Landing, where he learned the basics of repairing and tuning outboard motors; as he grew older he graduated to motorcycles and cars. Initially he dropped out of high school, but a few years later he got his GED, which he was proud of.

Once grown up, in his younger years David was a rambling spirit. He repeatedly traveled the U.S., once enjoyed a memorable trip to Canada, and for many years spent winters in the Florida Keys. Also, and once again like his father, David enjoyed being on the water. In 2008, the year Julian died, David inherited the last boat his father ever made, a 22-foot open motorboat which David maintained and improved. Each summer would find him cruising the waters of Long Island Sound and sometimes beyond.

Yet throughout his life, David’s greatest pleasure was working with his hands, whether fixing a car, a boat, or a house. As a young man he did tree work and snowplowing, but in the last several decades of his life he settled into being a caretaker and handyman for homeowners in Westport and surrounding towns, as well as for the VFW Post 399 in Westport. He had a large clientele, many of whom were elderly; and in a few instances he even served as an unofficial health care aid, helping persons with mobility issues get around the house.

As David put it,“My clients are my friends.” He did not care so much about money as about doing a job well, for persons whom he liked. Over the years he saved not only the many cards and letters sent to him by clients expressing appreciation, but also the many obituaries he had cut from local newspapers, memorializing people he knew and cared for who had passed.

Here is a typical letter to David, from a client: “Just a note to say thank you for being such a rock for me during difficult times. I remember meeting you in Saugatuck where you did a random act of kindness for me & from that point forward you became beyond helpful – vital is more like it, helping my folks and helping me. There seems no limit to your skill, knowledge, or kindness.”

David’s health took a serious turn for the worst in the last two years of his life. In 2024 he fell from a high ladder. He survived with what at first seemed only a damaged elbow, but his health worsened. In April of 2026 he developed trouble walking. Tests found a broken sacrum and severe spinal stenosis. Spinal surgery seemed to help, but while in rehab two more vertebrae fractured. Procedures to stabilize the vertebrae helped only briefly before pain and weakness in his legs returned. Despite David’s strong will and natural drive to live, the struggle ended when on Sept. 15, 2026 he passed away. He is mourned by friends and family alike.

In May of 1980, David married Laura Evelyn Wells of Wilton; the couple had no children and later divorced. David is survived by his mother, Virginia McIntyre Burgess, his brother Randy Burgess, his aunt and uncle Marie and John McIntyre, his step-uncle Ernie Cotrill, and his cousins Jennifer Cole, David McIntyre, Anne-Marie McIntyre, Richard Waggoner, Mary Waggoner Moritz, Julie Waggoner, and William Waggoner.

A memorial service will be held; date and place to be announced later.