Better money has never been invested.
For its investment, and remember, that was substantial money back then, Trenton received not only its first dentist, but a man who kept his practice there, built his home there, raised his family there, and a man who became an active member of the community.
Dr. Burley, who opened his practice in October 1958, is retiring July 3, which happens to be his 79th birthday, though he looks at least 10 years younger than that. His son, Dr. Alan Burley, 57, will continue the practice.
Dr. John Burley has reduced his work schedule recently, practicing three days a week.
When asked why he didn’t retire earlier, Dr. Burley said: “To be honest, I enjoy working. This is where I like to be. But I wanted to get out before I died with my boots on.”
Robert Page, who now lives in Connersville, Ind., was one of Dr. Burley’s first patients, along with his late wife, Violet. Page has the last appointment in the book on July 3. Page’s daughter, Rachel Goughenour, who was a part-time dental assistant in Dr. Burley’s office for 20 years, said her parents enjoyed having Dr. Burley as their dentist because he also was a friend.
She laughed when she recalled that her mother, who passed away last year, also thought Dr. Burley resembled Paul Newman.
“That didn’t hurt,” she said.
Lorraine Curry, who has worked in the office for 14 years, said Dr. Burley should retire because “he has earned it and he’s in good health.”
Another office worker, Dar Dale, said Dr. Burley “wears me out just watching him.”
He has two gardens: one behind the office and another at his home.
Dr. Burley fills cavities in the chair and in the community. He served for 26 years on the Trenton and Edgewood Board of Education, and was president many of those years. He spent more than 15 years on various boards for Middletown Regional Hospital. He has been a member of Trenton Lions Club since 1958 and has served in many leadership positions. He has served on the Board of Trustees at First United Methodist Church in Middletown, and has volunteered on the Crystal Apple committee.
Dr. Burley and his wife of 57 years, Donna, have been long-time Edgewood athletic boosters, and he was inducted into the Edgewood Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 as a booster. He chaired the Charter Committee when Trenton first became a city in 1971.
Now it’s time for the next chapter in his life to be written. Retirement probably won’t hit him until July 8 when his alarm goes off, and, for the first time in nearly six decades, he won’t have to go to work, his son said.
“It never will be the same around here,” said Dr. Alan Burley.
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