BURT PUGH : HAGÅTÑA'S HOMELESS MAN

 BURT AND BABY

One of the late Burt Pugh's dubious distinctions is being one of Guam's first homeless people. It's a sad story, but I thought it would be a positive lesson to share how Guam responded to Burt's passing away in 1976; a real testament to the island's values of the time.

Burt, born Bartholomew M. Pugh, Jr., was obviously not always homeless. He came to Guam in 1947 with the Army Air Corps. He left island to do some sailing all over the Western Pacific. Done with that, he opened a heavy equipment business and machine shop on Guam. He even ran as an independent candidate for Senator in 1960 and received 303 votes, not enough to win a seat. His slogan was, "A vote for Pugh, is a vote for you!"

Court battles with the Federal Government over the ownership of some equipment cost him his money, and his spirit. He just wasn't the same after that. He more or less gave up, but not entirely. But he was short on money for the rest of his life. He was arrested several times for small-time thefts, DUI and the like and served short sentences.

He had a house to live in as late as 1972, because he reported to police that it was burglarized.

In April of 1973, the wooden house in Hagåtña where Burt and some other men were living burned down, as the grassy area behind Ada's Market where the house stood caught on fire. It was a very bad dry season and large grass fires had broken out in several places, especially in the southern hills, threatening homes there.

Apparently that's when Burt became homeless, saying he lost everything in the house fire except the clothes he was wearing. He found some people to take him in, then they threatened him at gun point. So he left.

He moved to the Paseo de Susana and slept on the bleachers, storing his things underneath. "The good Lord asks no rent," Burt said. It was 1974. He had a stray dog for companionship named Baby.

He kept the bleacher area clean, and then he would go all over Hagåtña, Sinajaña and Tamuning on foot collecting discarded copper, glass and bottles. He made $4 a day selling them to Island Equipment Company and the soda pop people. He was hoping when he turned 62 and qualified for a pension that he could now afford, with some government help, to rent a place.

He was frequently seen in various places around the capital city, asking people for spare change at Town House, the Julale Shopping Center and the Guam Legislature.

He was at the Guam Legislature sometimes to testify on bills! His favorite topics were public utilities - power and telephones - things he didn't have.

When Typhoon Pamela (May 1976) wrecked the Paseo and its bleachers, Burt moved to live under the Spanish Bridge (Tollai Åcho').

But homelessness was not the only problem Burt faced. He had turned to the bottle very heavily. Vodka was his drink of choice. It was just a matter of time before booze did him in.

He landed at Guam Memorial Hospital in October of 1976. He escaped the hospital once, and was found in hospital gown and no pants walking the street. He died at GMH on December 22, 1976 of gastro-intestinal bleeding and cirrhosis of the liver. He was just 64.

Burt's death left some things unresolved. First was how would his hospital bill be paid. Second was who would bury him. A daughter lived in the States, but would she come and take care of Burt's funeral?

AN ISLAND RESPONDS

BURT'S BURIAL AT TIGUAG

Attended by Madeleine Bordallo (left), Father Mel McCormack and others

For almost two months, Burt's body lay in the morgue unclaimed.

There had been, in fact, no daughter. But Burt had a brother in the States, but he could do nothing for his deceased sibling.

Then Pete Ada of Ada's Mortuary stepped in. Bearing most of the expenses himself, he arranged for Burt's remains to be given a proper burial. Burt was placed in a casket, then a hearse took the casket to Tiguag Public Cemetery (now Vicente A. Limtiaco Memorial Cemetery).

Attending the burial were 18 people, some who knew Burt but others who didn't. They only heard about Burt and his burial from the newspaper the day before. The newspaper worried that the only people who would be at his burial would be reporters who had written stories about Hagåtña's homeless man.

It wasn't to be so. Capuchin Father Mel McCormack, who knew Burt since Burt first came to the island, lead the religious prayers at the grave site. 

Madeleine Bordallo, First Lady at the time, also attended and laid a floral arrangement on Burt's casket before it was lowered. She knew Burt from his constant presence around Hagåtña and the Legislature. "He always said 'Hi Madeleine.' when he saw me," she said.

A public school teacher, Opal Jaquette, who didn't even know Burt, sang "Sunrise Tomorrow." And someone else, a man who wished to remain anonymous, gave flowers. Two flower shops, Floral Boutique and Eileen Kershaw, also donated floral tributes.

Father Mel said, "Burt never harmed anyone, so please see that no harm comes to him now."

And so that is how our island in 1977 took care of a homeless man who passed away. He was alone, but not really. I wonder, though, what happened to Baby.

THE ADA'S HEARSE PASSES BURT'S HOME - THE PASEO

before heading up to Tiguag