Burton Gowen Hammond

PITTSFIELD -- Burton Gowen Hammond, 86, born in 1922 in Detroit, the son of Joshua C. and Christina A. (Gowen) Hammond, passed away on March 6, 2009, at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield.

Burton attended Pittsfield schools, graduating in 1941 from Maine Central Institute, where he was awarded the Master's Cup. He graduated in 1949 from Bates College, where he was honored to be a member of the college club and the student council.

Burton was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in Brazil. Burt was a partner in the Lehr-Hammond Insurance Agency in Pittsfield for many years and then was a field agent for Patrons Oxford Mutual Insurance Co. in Auburn.

He was active in civic affairs: Town Council, Planning Board, Little League, chairman of the SAD 53 school board, and First Baptist Church treasurer. Burt was a member of the original committee that founded Sebasticook Valley Hospital and was a member of the board of directors of the hospital for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Bartlett Hammond of Pittsfield; and five children, Jean C. Watts and her husband, Harley, of Glenburn, Katrina H. Peppard and her husband, Josh, of Hampden, Stephen J. Hammond of Newport, N.H., Scott G. Hammond and his wife, Paula, of Pittsfield, and James B. Hammond and his wife, Donna, of Pittsfield; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Nedra Swartz of Columbus, Ohio, Barbara Withers of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Hazel Harbison of Lakeland, Fla.

He was predeceased by his brother, Marshall Hammond; and his granddaughter Whitney Hammond.

Burton was an avid sports enthusiast, public servant and dedicated family man; and he was always happy to serve. He will be sorely missed. His quiet strength, impish humor and steadfast integrity will be remembered by all who came in contact with him. His uncompromising insistence on seeing all sides of a problem and willingness to risk his pocketbook to do what is right will be a cherished legacy to his family.

For many years his summers were spent at a cottage on Bailey Island in Casco Bay.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2009, at First Baptist Church, Main Street, Pittsfield, with the Rev. Bill Johnson officiating. He will be laid to rest in the spring at Village Cemetery, Pittsfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Burton's memory to either First Baptist Church Deacon's Fund, Main Street, Pittsfield, ME 04967; or to the Pittsfield Community Christmas Program, in care of Earl Dean, Pittsfield, Maine.

Local arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center Newport. To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes, please visit www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.