ALTAMONT — Mark R. Burlingame, known to those who loved him — and they were many — as “Burls,” died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, after an intense and courageous battle with cancer.

He was a pillar in his family’s business at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont, where he served his church and community.

He “peacefully entered into his Savior’s loving arms,” wrote his family in a tribute.

Mr. Burlingame was born in Little Falls, the son of the late Robert and Nancy Burlingame.

He moved to Westmere as a young child and went on to graduate from Guilderland High School.

He spent his early years on the baseball field as his father’s batboy at the state’s University at Albany.

“No doubt that is where he developed his love for the game and for sports in general,” his family wrote.

Mr. Burlingame attended Oneonta College, where he was later drafted into the Oneonta Yankees, playing shortstop. In 1977, he was brought up to the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Yankees team, where he played for a season.

He was released from the minor leagues just after marrying his high school sweetheart, Beth Bidleman.

“He was a wonderful guy,” said his mother-in-law, Sally Bidleman. “We loved him like one of our own.”

Mr Burlingame spent a few years as a Hallmark Representative in the North Country, but, after literally driving off of the road one day, he decided to change careers and enter into the funeral service, wrote his family.

He devoted over 25 years to funeral directing, or as he referred to it, “the call.”

He started out working at Frederick Funeral Home in Albany before moving to Altamont and working at Fredendall Funeral Home.

Pastor Robert Luidens, of the Altamont Reformed Church, said he had the impression that hundreds of families who were helped by Mr. Burlingame during times of grief had kept in touch with him, and he with them.

“They really developed a relationship and felt he was an understanding friend,” said Pastor Luidens. “He went well beyond the professional boundaries that most funeral directors will adhere to.”

In 2007, Mr. Burlingame he transitioned into real estate and played an integral role in building CM Fox and making it what it is today.

Mr. Burlingame was an active member of the Altamont Reformed Church for 32 years.

Pastor Luidens said he had an involvement in many responsibilities, including serving as an elder on the governing board, assisting with youth ministry activities and Sunday School teaching, singing in the church choir, and organizing a men’s support group.

“In all aspects of his life, Mark shared his love of God with others, expressed compassion for all people, and provided service to his community and beyond,” his family wrote.

The children and young adults in the church flocked to him because “He had a way of enveloping everyone in his company,” the pastor said.

“He was as gregarious, warm, and gracious a person as I’ve ever known,” said Pastor Luidens. “In every setting he exhibited sensitivity and compassion.”

He said Mr. Burlingame also had a good sense of humor.

“Oh, he loved to laugh,” said Mrs. Bidleman.

Mr. Burlingame was also a member of the Guilderland Letterman Association and previously served as president of the local Funeral Directors Association.

“He won the hearts of everyone he knew,” said Pastor Luidens.

He said this was evident in the services he presided over last week. Roughly 3,000 people attended the calling hours, which stretched from the typical four hours to nine hours. More than 700 people attended the funeral.

The Sands family, who grew up with Burlingame, found a song called “Legacy,” by Nichole Nordeman, which they feel speaks to who Mr. Burlingame was and what he leaves behind, particularly these lyrics: “I want to leave a legacy/How will they remember me?” and the closing lyric, “I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me.”

“Among many other invaluable traits, ‘Burls’ will be remembered for his infectious smile, his passion for life, his love of people, and his unparalleled dance moves,” wrote his family.

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Mr. Burlingame is survived by his wife, Beth; his son, Jason Burlingame, and his wife, Katie; his daughter, Kara Banks, and her husband, Mike; his grandson, Jack Burlingame; his sister, Wendy Reid; his father and mother-in-law, Porter and Sally Bidleman; his sister-in-law, Barbara Yohey; his brother-in-law, Alan Kisby, and his wife, Sharon; and an aunt, uncle, several cousins, and several nieces and nephews.

His parents died before him, as did his sister-in-law, Mary Lou Kisby.

Funeral services were held at Christ the King Church on Oct. 17 and interment followed in the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were by the McVeigh Funeral Home in Albany.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at the Altamont Reformed Church, Post Office Box 671, Altamont, NY 12009; The Guilderland Letterman Association, custody of the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206; the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205; or the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Post Office Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106 (include a note that the contribution is for Mark Burlingame).