Obituary of Burton S. August

Burton S. August Brighton: A lifelong Rochestarian, Burt passed away peacefully in Florida on March 18, 2016 just weeks before his 101st birthday. Burt worked in the men’s clothing business for many years, first at his family’s business, August Brothers Clothing, and then for 33 years at Michaels-Stern & Co., where he worked his way up from errand boy to Sr. Vice President. In 1969 Burt began his second career joining his brother, Charles J. August and his partner Sheldon Lane at Monro Muffler Brake. Over the next twelve years, he was instrumental in helping grow the business from an eight store Rochester operation to a highly respected regional player with more than 50 locations from Buffalo to Albany. Burt retired in 1981 but remained a member of the Monro Board of Directors for another twenty years. Burt loved Rochester and believed strongly in giving back to the community that had given him and his family so much. Always focused on those less fortunate, he proudly served on numerous not for profit boards including The United Way, The Seneca Waterways Council of the Boy Scouts of America, The Al Sigl Community of Agencies, The Hillside Family of Agencies, Unity Health System and Rochester Institute of Technology. Burt was a doer and quickly rose to leadership positions in virtually every organization he joined. Burt also served on the State and Regional levels of The United Way and The Boy Scouts of America. To perpetuate their philanthropic interests, in 1989, Burt and his brother Chuck established the Charles J., and Burton S. August Family Foundation, which supports organizations big and small throughout the Rochester area. Both gave generously of their time and treasure throughout their lives. Burt was an avid fisherman, often spending Sundays in the summer in a boat on Lake Ontario, or Erie. No matter how bad the weather was or how few fish were caught, Burt would fish from early morning until late afternoon. An invite to fish with Burt was coveted, and being able to catch more fish than him was no small feat. The only outdoor activity Burt enjoyed as much as fishing, was selling Christmas trees to benefit Boy Scout Troop 31. Well into his nineties, Burt could usually be found in December at the tree lot on Meigs Street, showing the younger scouts the art of the sale. Burt was a member of the second graduating class of Brighton High School and a proud member of its Alumni Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of Temple Sinai and was awarded Trustee Emeritus status. To recognize his work with scouting, he was honored by the Boy Scouts of America with both its Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope Awards. In 1990 Burt received the RIT Founders Award for his public and institute spirit. The award had only been presented nine times previously since it was established in 1934. In 1995, he received an honorary doctorate from RIT and in 2003, Burt and his brother Chuck were inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame. Burt will be dearly missed by his family: his second wife Joan August, children Burton Jr. (Barb), Robert (Amy), John (Jane) and Elizabeth (Thomas B. Mafrici), and his step children, Donald (Betsy), David (Audrey) and Ken (Olivia) Kubie, his 10 grandchildren who he adored, Shoshanah Manasee (Michael), Madeline, Meghan, Christine, Ari, Nathan, and Kyle August, Natalie, Elizabeth and Madeleine Mafrici, as well as his step-grandchildren and their families, his sister in-law, Jean August, and many nieces and nephews. Burt was predeceased by his first wife of 49 years, Madeleine August, his sister, Jane Friedman and his brother, Charles August. The family would like to thank all the home and health care professionals in Rochester and Boca Raton for the wonderful treatment they provided Burt over the past year. A special thanks to Dr. James Haley for his tremendous care, incredible dedication and friendship. A community memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 2 PM at the Lyric Theatre, 440 East Avenue followed by a reception at The Genesee Valley Club. Click here for directions to the Lyric Theatre. Click here to read the obituary in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Home Brighton, New York/Boca Raton, Florida Birthplace Rochester, New York Donations