Burton Albert, Jr., 89

Burton “Burt” Albert, Jr., 89 of Avon (CT), passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on November 1, 2025. Born on September 25, 1936, in Pittsfield (MA), he was the son of Isabel C. Deming and Burton Albert, Sr.

Burt was married for 62 years to the love of his life, Lois (Bent) Albert, who passed away in March 2025. Together they built a life rooted in family, friends, and faith. He leaves behind daughter Heather Dyer and son-in-law Michael Dyer of Avon (CT) and daughter Kelley Albert of Windsor (CT); grandchildren Brianna Dyer (London, England) and Brendan Dyer of Avon (CT). He was predeceased by his brothers Leland “Lee” Albert and Gary R. Albert.

Burt spent his life in New England, residing in several Connecticut towns (Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Weston and Avon) and East Dennis (MA). A gifted scholar and educator, Burt earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education, magna cum laude, from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (formerly North Adams State College), and a Master of Arts in English from Duke University.

His early career was spent in the classroom, teaching in Massachusetts and nearly five years in the Greenwich (CT) school system. He inspired countless students, including one from his American Literature class who later became an award-winning author.

Burt went on to join Harcourt Brace Jovanovich as an elementary language arts editor and later worked at Reader’s Digest for 12 years. He started in the same role and worked his way up to Editorial Director of the Educational Division. In the 1970s, he co-authored the groundbreaking multi-media program Write to Communicate with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, Donald M. Murray. Their work helped pioneer the “process approach to writing” in America’s elementary schools.

The interdisciplinary program involved more than five years of research, including interviews with scores of well-known children’s writers, such as Robert McCloskey (Make Way for Ducklings) and H. A. Rey (Curious George), and was the subject of an article that Burt wrote for The New York Times, published on January 1, 1980. A sought-after expert in writing and communication, Burt was a keynote speaker and panelist at educational conferences, and conducted writing workshops in over 70 major public-school systems nationwide.

He went onto to become an independent consultant for Fortune 500 companies at a time when self-employment was not commonplace. He taught communication courses in research and development, sales, marketing and public affairs, and spent nearly 20 years on the adjunct faculty at both GTE Management Development Center and GE’s Management Development Institute.

Burt was also a prolific author. He wrote more than 25 children’s books under his own name and the pen name Brooks Healy. His book Where Does the Trail Lead? (Simon & Schuster) received the Golden Kite Honor Award from the International Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in 1991 and was cited by Yankee Magazine as one of its “100 Classic New England Children’s Books.” He also authored the practical guide Fat Free Meetings; How to Make Them Fast, Focused, and Fun! His work was often cited in professional journals, magazines and newspapers.

During his retirement years in East Dennis (MA), Burt devoted much of his time to the Cape Cod Museum of Art, where he founded Tuesdays with the Muse, a vibrant series of discussions and performances. The program gained popularity and regional attention, leading to an invitation to serve on the museum’s board.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Burt was generous with his time. He volunteered at Radio CRIS in Connecticut where he read magazine and newspaper articles to the blind; served as a patient transport volunteer at Cape Cod Hospital; was involved in Brewster Baptist Church in Brewster (MA), and Norfield Congregational Church in Weston (CT). He was instrumental in the formation of Norfield’s Memorial Garden, his final resting place alongside his wife, Lois.

Burt’s laugh could be heard from across the room. His strong handshake and a litany of questions were always there for the taking, whether you were an old friend or new acquaintance. In his world, there were no strangers — only people he had not yet met.

Burt was also a big supporter of the arts. He was a collector and an artist himself. He loved painting, collage work and photo outings with the family. He loved to cook, always looking for ways to the elevate a simple dish to chef status. Burt was quick with a joke, a helping hand, and there was never a bad time to introduce a new vocabulary word. He was a voracious reader, a devoted New York Times subscriber, and a steadfast champion for public education — serving on the Weston (CT) Board of Education.

He will be known for his love of family and friends, his empathy, his work ethic, his creativity and insatiable curiosity, his sense of civic responsibility, and his desire to make all things better. Burt lived his Christian faith boldly, both in word and action. His legacy lives on in the thousands of students, colleagues, readers, friends and family members he inspired with his wisdom, creativity and larger-than-life personality.

For service information, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.