The MIKE BURTON MEMORIAL / Tribute Thread - REMEMBERING A GREAT FRIEND & CUSTOMER
09-19-2012, 01:33 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
The MIKE BURTON MEMORIAL / Tribute Thread - REMEMBERING A GREAT FRIEND & CUSTOMER
The MIKE BURTON MEMORIAL / Tribute Thread
REMEMBERING A GREAT FRIEND & CUSTOMER
For anyone who has ever visited our booth at the Corvettes at Carlisle show
there is no question that you'll remember Mike Burton and his Velocity Yellow 2005 Corvette.
Mike was one of my favorite customers and a great friend whom I looked forward to
seeing at every Corvette event we attended.
Sadly, Mike left his last Corvette show this past Saturday and we're told he suffered
a heart attack as he drove away from the show. Nobody else was injured and it
appears that it may have also been the last drive for his absolutely amazing 2005 Corvette.
As I said earlier, Mike Burton was one of my favorite customers and his beautiful Corvette
was one of my favorite builds to be a part of. Mike was a happy-go-lucky guy that,
in all the years I knew him, never got angry, never raised his voice, never said a bad word
about anyone or anything. Easy going, super friendly, well liked by all, smiled, laughed, and was
always a pleasure to be around.
Checking my laptop, it appears that I first met Mike on August 25th, 2006 at around 5pm
in my booth at Corvettes of Carlisle. He approached me to have me tune his new 2005 C6 Corvette.
I can remember his bright yellow Corvette like it was yesterday and how excited he seemed to be
making his first modifications to his car. He shook my hand firmly and said...."Chuck, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!"
"You're Very Welcome" I said and he replied...."I'm very happy and you'll be seeing me again!" and off he went...
I quote a few lines here from Mike's feature article in the May issue of VETTE magazine 2010.
He stayed in touch with tuner Corvettes of Westchester, based in Westchester, New York, and discussed with shop
owner Chuck "Cow" Mosello how the convertible could become unconquerable. Before long, Burton was making the 800-mile
round trip to Mosello's shop-first for a VaraRam cold-air intake, a custom-grind cam, and 4.10 gears-then later for a
Callaway/Magnuson 122 supercharger package, followed by a Z06 rearend (also equipped with 4.10 gears), a Zoom
dual-disc "Science Friction" clutch, a DeWitts aluminum racing radiator, Kooks headers (1 7/8-inch primaries and 3-inch
collectors), an '08 Corvette NPP exhaust system with a NakidParts Mild 2 Wild conversion, and Pfadt competition
coilovers and "Pfatty" sway bars.
owner Chuck "Cow" Mosello how the convertible could become unconquerable. Before long, Burton was making the 800-mile
round trip to Mosello's shop-first for a VaraRam cold-air intake, a custom-grind cam, and 4.10 gears-then later for a
Callaway/Magnuson 122 supercharger package, followed by a Z06 rearend (also equipped with 4.10 gears), a Zoom
dual-disc "Science Friction" clutch, a DeWitts aluminum racing radiator, Kooks headers (1 7/8-inch primaries and 3-inch
collectors), an '08 Corvette NPP exhaust system with a NakidParts Mild 2 Wild conversion, and Pfadt competition
coilovers and "Pfatty" sway bars.
home we're quite confident he went home with a giant smile and likely made the trip in record time.
Most recently, Mike towed the car to us for some small repairs which prevented it form starting...
He was sooo grateful for the repairs we performed (while I felt that it wasn't such a big deal)
Mike took a day off from work the following Friday and drove 6 hours each way just to help me
re-wire our shop compressor which had developed some problems.
Mike refused to accept a penny for his work, time, or fuel and shook my hand and sadly,
that was the last time I saw him. He was that type of guy. Generous, Humble, Friendly, and Genuine.
The type of guy that everyone wanted to be friends with and spend their time with. That was Mike Burton.
Mike's AMAZING CORVETTE was regularly at our shop for all sorts of performance enhancing
mods, but much of what we did for Mike was "UNDER THE HOOD".
To look at his car, the cosmetic modifications he made screamed for attention and rightfully so...
Chris Layne of Virginia should take every bit of credit for the absolutely amazing transformations
that Mike commissioned. From the amazing interior, to the flawless paint, to the custom
bodywork, and the incredible custom one-off hood and other fabrication creations
which made Mike's car soooo unique. From First place trophys at every show he attended
to a multi page feature in the May issue of VETTE magazine 2010.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Mikes car was truly amazing and as fast and beautiful as it was, Mike always remained
humble and shy despite the never ending attention that the car generated and volumes
of compliments it received. It was his partner in crime, his best friend, his vacation spot,
and his happy place....all rolled into one beautiful car.
Despite our sadness for his loss... How appropriate it was that Mike and his pride and joy
both made their final ride together. I don't think Mike would have wanted it any other way...
Mike, You will be missed.
Goodbye my good friend!
It was a privilege to know you and to have you as my friend.
Chuck CoW
Services will be Friday September 21st 2012
6PM to 9PM
@
ROYSTON FUNERAL HOME
102 W Washington Street
Middleburg, VA 20117
Phone Number: (540) 687-5400
FUNERAL will take place SATURDAY @ 11am
More photos of Mike's car at Middleburg, VA.
Below are photos I collected from Corvettes at Carlisle, Our Shop, and Mike's Feature Article.
Some photos are current while some are quite old.
Goodbye my friend!
Chuck CoW
&
Corvettes of Westchester
Last edited by Chuck CoW; 09-20-2012 at 09:07 AM.
09-19-2012, 06:28 AM
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Really sad to hear Chuck. I'm not sure I had the honor of meeting Mike but it sounds like he was someone that was loved by those that knew him. Your tribute to him is outstanding. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and may he rest in peace.
Nick
Nick
09-19-2012, 07:56 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Chuck,
Thank you so much for the beautiful tribute.
Andy and I were the last people to talk to Mike as he left the car show last Saturday....Andy shook his hand, thanked him for coming, and Mike said he had a great time and would talk to him soon. As he drove past me, he slowed, gave me a wave and a smile, said "Thanks, See ya later Val", and off he went. Within less than two minutes, he was gone. We are all so heart broken to have lost such a great guy. During the car show, there was a young lady who had a special needs son there that got so excited about the car. Mike saw his excitement and told his mother to let him sit in it....that was Mike. He built that car to enjoy and be enjoyed by others. That young lady was a member of the rescue crew that went to Mike's aid later that day. She too was devastated at Mike's passing. We can only take comfort in the fact that he was gone in an instant, did not suffer, no one else was hurt and was where he was happiest. Behind the wheel of that car. He spoke highly of you and the guys at your shop. You were among those that he considered friends, and he was forever grateful of the work you did to his car, and your friendship. We are all better people for having known him. RIP My friend.
Thank you so much for the beautiful tribute.
Andy and I were the last people to talk to Mike as he left the car show last Saturday....Andy shook his hand, thanked him for coming, and Mike said he had a great time and would talk to him soon. As he drove past me, he slowed, gave me a wave and a smile, said "Thanks, See ya later Val", and off he went. Within less than two minutes, he was gone. We are all so heart broken to have lost such a great guy. During the car show, there was a young lady who had a special needs son there that got so excited about the car. Mike saw his excitement and told his mother to let him sit in it....that was Mike. He built that car to enjoy and be enjoyed by others. That young lady was a member of the rescue crew that went to Mike's aid later that day. She too was devastated at Mike's passing. We can only take comfort in the fact that he was gone in an instant, did not suffer, no one else was hurt and was where he was happiest. Behind the wheel of that car. He spoke highly of you and the guys at your shop. You were among those that he considered friends, and he was forever grateful of the work you did to his car, and your friendship. We are all better people for having known him. RIP My friend.
09-19-2012, 12:08 PM
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I did not know Mike, but he sounds like he was one heck of a guy and a true Corvette enthusiast. Sad to hear of his passing and may he rest in peace. 
09-19-2012, 12:15 PM
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Oh man, we worked on his car not that awful long ago. We had installed one of our ZR1 clutch kits in it and he loved it. I am really sad to hear this, he was a super nice guy and a neat car.
RIP
RIP
09-19-2012, 01:07 PM
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Family photos and other photos of Mike Burton
At the request of Mike's sister Bonnie, I've collected
some other images of Mike, His Car, His FAMILY, and some friends.
some other images of Mike, His Car, His FAMILY, and some friends.
Last edited by Chuck CoW; 09-19-2012 at 10:30 PM.
09-19-2012, 04:05 PM
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09-20-2012, 04:13 AM
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Chuck and Val, well said, a nicely done tribute to Mike by you both!!
Condolences to his family and friends!
Mike, Enjoy the endless ride in that beautiful Corvette of yours on Route 66, Rest in peace my brother
Condolences to his family and friends!
Mike, Enjoy the endless ride in that beautiful Corvette of yours on Route 66, Rest in peace my brother
09-20-2012, 08:01 AM
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09-21-2012, 11:51 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Very sad....
I'm on my way to Pennsylvania right now to pick up some friends and then on to the Funeral Saturday morning in Virginia.
For anyone who needs me, I'll be at the Westchester Corvette Club's show at Arroway Chevrolet
in Mt.Kisco Sunday Morning. Between now and Sunday night, the shop will be closed.
I'll be back in the shop 9am Monday Morning.
Chuck CoW
For anyone who needs me, I'll be at the Westchester Corvette Club's show at Arroway Chevrolet
in Mt.Kisco Sunday Morning. Between now and Sunday night, the shop will be closed.
I'll be back in the shop 9am Monday Morning.
Chuck CoW
09-23-2012, 07:42 AM
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Very sad. Sincere condolences to Mike's family and friends.
Sincere condolences to Mike's family and friends.