Robert C. "Bud" Burnham

BURNHAM, Robert C. "Bud" Robert C. "Bud" Burnham, 79, of East Hartford and Boynton Beach, FL, beloved husband of Eileen (Coughlin) Burnham died at home on Tuesday, (July 13, 2004), after a six month battle with lung cancer. He was the son of the late Robert E. Burnham and Frances (Levack) Burnham. Bud was a 1942 graduate of East Hartford High School, and shortly thereafter he founded Burnham Bros. Inc., a successful family farming business. He began growing tobacco and continued the business growing vegetables with his best friend and brother, Donald L. Burnham until his illness earlier this year. Burnham Farms is best known for its corn and tomatoes and employed hundreds of local teenagers to harvest the crops. Bud was a lifelong member of the South Windsor Sportsmen's Club. He coached Little League in East Hartford during the 1960's. Bud loved thoroughbred racing and owned a racing stable with his brother, Don for several years. Besides his wife, Bud is also survived by his sons, Gary Burnham and his wife, Debi of South Windsor, James H. Burnham and his wife, Judy of East Hartford, and Robert G. Burnham of South Windsor. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jean Hewitt. Bud also leaves his three stepdaughters, Maureen A. Rodgers and Patricia E. Rodgers of East Hartford and Gigi Tappan and her husband, Stanford, of Marshfield, MA. Bud also leaves his sister, Shirley Maharan and her husband, George, of Vernon; and his brother, Donald and his wife, Patricia, of East Hartford; his grandchildren, Lisa, Gary and Brett Burnham, Maegan Senereth and Kelly Burnham, Crystal, Nathan and Colin Burnham and Gregory, Brianna and Alyssa Tappan. He also leaves two very devoted nephews and their wives, David and Donna Burnham and Kevin and Debbie Burnham. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Callahan Funeral Home, 1602 Main Street, East Hartford. Calling hours will be on Friday, July 16 from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bud's memory to the CTVNA, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450-1004.