Paul A. Burnham

DUBLIN -- Paul A. Burnham, 91, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at the Pheasantwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Peterborough after a brief period of declining health.

Paul was born in Springfield, Vt., son of the late Lewis and Hazel (Pinney) Burnham. He had lived in Hancock and Jaffrey, but for most of his life lived in Dublin.

Paul served honorably in the US Army during WWII in B Troop 18th Mechanized Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron and with the 576th Field Artillery Battalion. He was present during the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle for Germany.

Paul was a mechanic and had worked for Gilman's Garage, Clukay Automotive and Hayes Motor Sales for many years before starting his own sawmill. He processed lumber at his sawmill and drove his log truck until age 75.

In addition to doing the work he loved, he enjoyed farming. Paul loved hunting and fishing, especially fishing in Eastport, Maine. He enjoyed snowmobiling in his younger years. Paul loved meeting new people at antique tractor shows, the Dublin Gas Engine meet and at yard sales. He was a humorous story teller.

Paul was married to Edith (Despres) Burnham who died on October 22, 1991. He later married Dorothy (Sawtelle) Burnham who died on June 22, 2013. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Barbara Babneau and Betty Gagnon, and by his brother Larry Burnham.

He is survived by his daughter Carol Burnham of Waco, Texas; his two sons, Howard Burnham and his wife Mari of Plymouth, N.H., and Curtis Burnham and his wife Elaine of Dublin; his grandchildren, Dale Knight and his wife Brittany of Waco, Texas, Meredith Larter of Belmont, N.H., Peter Burnham and his wife Erica of Holderness, N.H., Adam Burnham of Boston, Mass., Jesse Burnham and his wife Kimberly of Antrim, and Emily Broadley and her husband Steven of Washington, N.H.; his great grandchildren, Edward and Charles Larter of Belmont, N.H., Evyn and Ellis Burnham of Holderness, N.H., Asher Burnham of Antrim, Charlotte and Cora Broadley of Washington, N.H.; his sisters, Grace Picard and her husband Francis of Spindale, N.C., Margaret 'Peggy' Low of Phoenix, Ariz., Dorothy Mollett of Georgetown, Idaho, and his step-sister, Barbara Baird of Jaffrey; his brothers, Franklin and his wife Deborah Burnham of Fitzwilliam, Donald and his wife Elaine of Clinton, Maine, and Kenneth Burnham and his wife Elaine of Spanish Forks, Utah, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Paul's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to his caregivers, Shelley Stoddard and Pamela Voorhees. Their gentle care will always be remembered.

At Paul's request, there will be no calling hours.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Hidden Hills Banquet Facility, 18 Lisa Drive, Rindge, N.H. 03461.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Paul's name to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, N.H. 03446 or to the New Hampshire Audubon Society, Attn: Annual Fund, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, N.H. 03301.

The Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Jaffrey is assisting Paul's family with arrangements. To share memories or condolences with his family, please visit his permanent online memorial at www.cournoyerfh.com