Raymond William “Ray” Burzon was born on December 6, 1932, in the Bronx, New York, according to the New York, New York Birth Index, at Ancestry.com, and his obituary. His parents were William, of Germany, and Marie, of Luxembourg.
The 1940 U.S. Census said Burzon lived with his parents and an aunt in the Bronx at 2558 Creston Avenue. His parents were self-employed bakers.
The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina), November 21, 2016, said “At age 16, Ray joined the Squire youth group and advanced to 4th degree as member of the Knights of Columbus in St. Andrews Parish …”
In the 1950 census, the Burzons were at the same address.
Burzon studied advertising design at the School of Industrial Art in Manhattan. He graduated in 1951.
The Palette yearbook. The middle initial is incorrect.
The Sun News said Burzon
served in the Korean War as a corporal in the U.S. Army. After the Army, he became a commercial artist and was an art director for J. Walter Thompson in Manhattan, NY, working on Pan American Airlines, Ford and Proctor and Gamble accounts. Later he went on to Ayers advertising …
Burzon’s marriage was reported in the Hackensack Record (New Jersey) on October 14, 1957.
Eleanore Kohler, Raymond BurzonPalisades Park—Miss Eleanore Marie Kohler, daughter of Mrs. Marie Kohler of 30 Henry Avenue and the late Mr. Kohler, was married to Raymond Burzon, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Burzon of the Bronx, at 4:30 P. M. Saturday at St. Michael’s R. C. Church.Given in marriage by her god father, James Lamb, the bride wore French lace.Miss Joshine Lamb of Palisades Park was maid of honor, Miss Erna Marquardt of Rochelle Park and Mrs. Raymond Huber of Greenwood Lake were bridesmaids.Best man was William Keppler and ushers were Bruce Keppler and Fred Darmstadt, all of the Bronx.After a reception at Sauter’s in Fairview the couple left for Daytona Beach, Fla. They will reside in Ridgefield.Mrs. Burzon studied at Leonia High School and is a telephone operator. Her husband, a graduate of Industrial Art High School and an Army veteran, is a commercial artist.
Burzon’s comic book lettering began with Charlton as early as 1958. In Alter Ego #107, February 2012, Jim Amash interviewed Tony Tallarico.
Amash: So you were lettering your own stuff.Tallarico: Most of the time, except I had a friend of mine, Ray Burzon, who was an art director at J. Walter Thompson. He lettered a lot of my stuff.
The interview continued in Alter Ego #108, April 2012.
Amash: From 1968 to ’75, you’re listed as lettering for them [Charlton].Tallarico: No, that was my friend, Ray Burzon. I might have lettered a story that I was working on if the deadline was tight and I didn’t have time to give it to Ray. But that didn’t happen very often.
The interview continued in Alter Ego #109, May 2012.
Amash: And were they paying thirty-five a page, too?Tallarico: Yes, no lettering. With lettering, it was $37.50, so I had D.J. [Arneson] contact Ray Burzon, and Ray worked directly for him.JA: Did you have to turn in the pencils first?Tallarico: No, I did pencils, got them to Ray to letter, who would get them back to me; then I would ink the job and bring it in. …
At some point, Burzon moved to Pearl River, New York, where he was involved with scouting. The Journal-News (Nyack, New York), October 28, 1970, said
... Frank McCoy has been named as the new committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack 34 sponsored by St. Margaret’s Church, Pearl River. He succeeds Connie DeFelice who held the position for three years.Returning pack leaders and committee members include Walter Kelly, cubmaster; Peter Siano, assistant cubmaster; Larry McKeamey, Webelos leader; Ray Burzon, advancement; Tom Crean; activities; John Rooney, transportation; Art Maggio, fund raiser; and Bob Roman, publicity.
The Sun News said “Ray was a very involved Scout Master for 5 years in St. Margaret’s Parish in Pearl River, N.Y.”
In 1990 Burzon retired with his wife to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. His hobbies included oil painting, gardening, swimming and reading.
Burzon passed away on November 18, 2016, in Myrtle Beach.
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(Next post on Monday: Hotel Canada, Vancouver, Canada)
