National Arboretum Canberra chairman John Mackay has paid tribute to horticulturalist Adam Burgess, one of the key driving forces of the arboretum, who died this week aged just 43.
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He leaves behind a devastated community of loved ones and friends - wife Danielle, daughters Tenielle and Jemma, parents Mick Burgess and Joan Feiner, stepmother Anita Burgess and a wide circle of friends and colleagues who had the utmost respect for him.
His loving siblings were Kylie Kovak, Trent Hindle, Janelle Jack, Simon Pill, Troy Pill and Brad Burgess.
Mr Burgess was the curator of the living collections at the arboretum, and had been a part of the growing institution since its inception, working first with his father Mick in the family company, Urban Contractors.
"He has been the heart and soul of the arboretum since the very first day," Mr Mackay said.
"He was there when they started planting the first trees. He just loved the arboretum and the arboretum loved him."
Mr Mackay said Mr Burgess has been in remission from Hodgkin lymphoma and recently back in hospital for surgery to remove two of his ribs, believed to be a measure to prevent blood clotting.
It's understood Mr Burgess died at home on Monday as the result of complications.
He turned 43 only on April 26.
His mother Joan Feiner, of Queensland, said her son had been in remission from the cancer for 12 years. He was a man who "spoke his mind" and was "always happy".
"He was excellent at anything he tried," she said.
"Excellent at art. He taught himself how to play guitar and drums. Wrote songs for bands. Loved his poetry. He adored his family. His girls were his world to him.
"He was a lovely, lovely boy."
Mrs Feiner remembered fondly her son's absolute love for plants and trees.
"We were driving in Queensland one day and he said, 'Stop, stop, stop!,'," she said.
"And I was thinking, 'What's happened?'. He got out of the car and ran back two blocks to take a photograph of a tree he'd never seen before.
"Adam used to say,' Hug a tree'."
Always cheerful, Mr Burgess was always willing to sing the praises of the arboretum to all visitors. He was especially proud to show off the arboretum to Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge in 2014.
"I found him to be just inspirational," Mr Mackay said.
"He has been so determined and so helpful and he basically knows every tree in the place
"He has grown with the arboretum. He was just a lovely, lovely fellow who deserved a lot better."
The Burgess family was centred on Pialligo. Urban Contractors was based there before unfortunately going into receivership. His stepmother Anita had owned the Tulips cafe at Pialligo. Adam even played in a local garage band called Beltana as well as other local bands Three in a Tree and Recipe.
Mr Burgess studied at the Canberra Institute of Technology and was previously a student at Campbell High and Dickson College.
He did his apprenticeship at Willow Park Nursery at Pialligo.
Mrs Feiner said Mr Burgess had been back to Willow Park only last Friday to buy vegetable seedlings.
Mr Mackay said the arboretum would be organising some kind of tribute to honour Mr Burgess' work there, with his funeral to be also held there on Thursday, May 11.
"Adam was a much loved and respected member of the National Arboretum team as the curator of the Living Collection," a statement read.
"Adam made a significant contribution to the establishment and development of the National Arboretum over 11 years.
"He was driven by a passion for horticulture, for the trees and forests which he helped to establish, and a willingness to share his knowledge and learn from others.
"Adam will be greatly missed by his colleagues at the National Arboretum, the extended arboretum family and all those who knew him. Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this time."
* The funeral for Adam Burgess will be held at 3.30pm on Thursday, May 11 in the main visitors centre of the National Arboretum Canberra.
