Jean Antoine Burtin

Jean Antoine Burtin February 26, 1923 - November 8, 2009 Jean Antoine Burtin, 86, St. Augustine, died November 8, 2009 at his home. He was born in Lyon, France, son of Jeanne M. and Paul A.M. Burtin on February 26, 1923. He was predeceased by his father, mother, his wife Edith, 2 brothers, Robert and Bernard, and nephew, Frederick Morris Tiberio. He is survived by his wife, Katherine K. Huppi Burtin, his son, Christophe Vaillant, his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Collete and Jean-Marie Dallois, and their son, Laurent, his wife, Christine and daughters, Sophie and Julie Dallois who reside in Lyon. He is also survived by sister in law, Faith Phillips Kurt Tiberio, her husband Joseph of St. Augustine, and Sherborn, MA; sister in law Camellia Kurt-Ciocca of Holliston, MA; stepsons, Edward C. Huppi, Ashland, MA, Dr. Konrad E. Huppi, Herndon, VA, Otto E. Huppi, Marthalen Switzerland, 8 step-grandchildren, a grandson, nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved. Jean served with the mountain forces of the Liberation during WW II, was captured by German forces and escaped. After the war, his family business was ruined, and he went with Royal Dutch Shell to North Africa. He was a senior executive of Shell in North and Western Africa, finally was General Manager for Congo, Brazzaville and Central Africa. He ended his years in Africa a head of Hachette in Africa and the Indian Ocean areas. He graduated in mid-east languages from London University, and later went to CHEMLANE. In 1980, he retired with his wife, Edith to St. Augustine. She died shortly afterward. Jean and Kay were married in 1988. During his retirement, Jean made over 50 volumes of his collection of stamps showing works of art, doing research on each of the major artists, and meticulously assembling the collection. He also loved working with miniature villages, setting up a display which is illuminated and moves-again, a labor of more than 5 years. Jean held an international automobile racing license, and had organized Algiers to Capetown rallyes annually for Shell. Reading was his joy, to the very end. His home is filled with books on Science fiction, collections of early comics, both French and American, Political books, history, and magazines. When amputation of first the right leg, and six months later, the left leg, left him to learn to navigate on the prostheses, his wonderful physical therapist helped him to overcome being a double, above-the-knee amputee. His greatest challenge was enduring the excruciating pain of the peripheral neuropathy, for more than 6 years. Everyone who worked with this wonderful man came to respect his ambition, desire to live, and keep his keen mind active. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM Friday November 20, 2009 at St. Johns Family Funeral Home, with Rev. Andy Blaszkowski officiating. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Flowers are gratefully accepted or those wishing may make a contribution in his memory to the St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine St., St. Augustine, FL 32084. St. Johns Family Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.