Daniel Nathan Burge, 51, son of deceased Dr. Charles Burge and Dr. Eileen Burge, of Harrisville, passed away July 20, 2017. Danny was born on April 26, 1966 at the Ireland Army Hospital in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, weighing 1 lb., 14 oz. It was determined a year later that he had Cerebral Palsy, followed by 5 operations. By 11 years of age he began walking. He graduated from Harrisville Central School in 1983 and was a member of the Harrisville United Methodist Church.
He had a great interest in puppetry long before he could walk. He joined the Puppetry Guild of Upper NY State and eventually became President for several years. He enjoyed sponsoring 3 day work shops at his parents’ home. He joined the Puppeteers of America and became 1 of 5 Board Members who attended International conferences. He also joined the UNIMA (International Puppetry Group) and attended International conferences in the Middle East, Japan, Russia and China. He was very good friends with Muppet and Sesame Street muppeteers, visiting at Elstree Studio in England and especially Carroll Spinney (Big Bird) and Jim Henson, attending his funeral in NYC.
Danny lived in Washington, D.C. ten years and in 2007 decided to go the Ukraine. He enjoyed the puppetry there and in February 2012 he married, the love of his life, Viktorya Vaisburt , in Lugansk, Ukraine. He remained there throughout the Ukranian/Russian War. His city was bombed, for months, and he and Vik had to survive in their concrete basement for almost 6 weeks as all transportation was annihilated.
Danny loved his wife, Vik, and his stepdaughter, Dasha. He had a stroke on July 15th and died, from complications, on July 20, 2017 at 51 years of age.
Danny is survived by his wife, Viktorya Vaisburt, stepdaughter, Dasha, mother, Dr. Eileen Burge, brother Terry (Anne) of Anchorage, AK, sister Brenda, of Wasilla, AK and many cousins and puppeteer friends worldwide. He was predeceased by his father, Dr. Charles Burge.
Danny will be buried in Lugansk, Ukraine Cemetary and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Harrisville United Methodist Church, Harrisville, New York.