Obituary
Michael John Leo Burgoyne

Michael John Leo Burgoyne passed away peacefully at home in Raleigh, NC on June 17, 2024. He was born on January 27, 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the only son of Anne Laurie Cadigan Burgoyne and Atty Leo Austin Burgoyne. Michael lived for many years in Metuchen, NJ where he attended Saint Francis of Assisi Elementary School and graduated from Saint Joseph’s High School in 1978. He served as an altar boy at Saint Francis of Assisi Church throughout his school years. While at Saint Joseph’s, Michael distinguished himself as a track and field and cross country star, leading his school to the Conference and then State championships in 1977. He won numerous medals and accolades, particularly in the relay events. Michael trained and served as an Emergency Medical Technician and later followed his passion for helping others to enroll at the Somerset School of Massage and Body Therapy. There, he earned his certification as a Licensed Body Massage Therapist. In 1996, Michael moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to pursue a career with Chiropractic Kinesiology Associates. There, he worked alongside the doctors and specialized in treating injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. He earned a reputation for excellence and empathy in his time with the practice. In Raleigh, Michael was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church and a Knight for Chapter 2546 of the Knights of Columbus. It was also in Raleigh that he met his other half, Katherine Gurlin, and the two married in August of 2001. Michael, Kathy, and their treasured fur babies shared a life rich with joy and companionship until Kathy’s passing in May of 2012. In addition to his wife, Michael is predeceased by his father Atty Leo Austin Burgoyne (July 27, 1973), his mother Anne Laurie Cadigan Burgoyne (March 20, 2008) and his eldest sister Laurie Anne Burgoyne Fahrer (September 21, 2002). Michael is survived by his sister Lee-Ellen and her husband Alan Celeste, and nieces Cassidy, Kerian, and Brelyn Celeste of North Carolina; his sister Bethony and her husband Timothy Schreck, niece Heidi-Leigh and niece and goddaughter Holly Rose Schreck of New Jersey; and his niece and goddaughter Katie Leigh Fahrer Demeter and husband Robert Demeter, and their daughter Lauryn Marie Demeter; and his nephew Dan and wife Jayme Fahrer. Michael was very close to his huge family of cousins in New England including the Quinlans, the Moloneys, and the Burgoynes. His dearest friends and chosen family include Donald Lamb and Maryanne Bechtold Clark of New Jersey and Paul Meder of North Carolina. Above all else, Michael loved the Lord. Strong, honest and steadfast, he endeavored to be the hands and feet of Jesus in everything he did. Everyone’s favorite neighbor, an avid dog lover, and a friend to all, Michael will be remembered for his bold, infectious spirit, his fierce loyalty to those he loved, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Michael will be laid to rest in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery alongside his family in Lowell, MA in September. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).