Gerald W. Burpee Sr.

Gerald W. Burpee Sr., 86, a resident of Lewiston, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Central Maine Medical Center. Widely respected in the Lewiston/Auburn area as a caring, gracious and humble community leader, he was known by those around him as Gerry, Dad, Papa and Chief.
Born in Lewiston on December 2, 1938, Gerry was the youngest child of George and Annette Tardif Burpee. He grew up on the top of the hill on Grove Street, but spent WWII living in South Boston while his father worked in the Boston Navy Yard, returning to Grove Street after the war.
Educated locally, he was a graduate of St. Dominic High School, Class of '56. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served as an ambulance driver with the 555 Medical Company, based in Croix Chapeau, France.
After his discharge in 1959 he returned to Lewiston and was hired as an ambulance driver and funeral attendant by Ludger Albert, owner of the Albert Funeral Home on Howe Street. After attending the New England Institute of Mortuary Science, he bought the funeral home from Mr. Albert in 1964. In 1975, he purchased the former Bliss College building on the corner of Pine and Webster streets and moved the funeral home there. At this time he also added his name to the company, now known as the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home.
In 1960 he met the love of his life, Kathleen H. Dudzic, and they were married in Ss. Peter & Paul Church on November 12, 1960. The young family grew with the births of their four children, and they eventually moved from Warren Avenue into an apartment added to the side of the funeral home in 1978. During this time, Gerry grew his business from 50 to 100 funerals a year. He was also very active in local civic organizations and St. Patrick's Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and lector for many years. He served on the Lewiston School Committee after having been appointed by Mayor Alfred Plourde, and also served on the St. Dominic's School Board as President.
In the 1990's, he sold the funeral home to his son, and eventually he and Kathy moved to Sarasota, FL. They were "snowbirds" for twenty years, and then returned to Lewiston to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and friends.
Known for his sense of humor and his crooked smile, he had a lifelong love of the ocean, boats, golf and animals, especially dogs. He never saw a dog without befriending it, never saw a stray without calling out "Hey pooch!"
Of all the roles he took on in his life, he most enjoyed being a grandfather. He was very proud of his grandchildren, and was thrilled to become a great-grandfather.
Survivors include his loving wife, Kathleen of Lewiston, three daughters, Karen Danner and husband Scott of Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Andrea Murphy and husband Marshall of Cushing, and Mary Burpee and husband Marc Desrosiers of Lewiston, a son, Gerald Burpee Jr. and wife Trinh of Auburn, a sister, Georgette Burpee Maloof of Boston, MA, seven grandchildren, Nathan Danner and wife Amber, Michael Gerald Danner and wife Chutian, Alexandria Burpee Raymond and husband Ethan, Nicholas Burpee, Emma Murphy, Elliott William Murphy, and Thankful Helen Sargent, and two great-grandchildren, Emmett Gerald Raymond and Theodore Danner. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many close friends.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his three brothers, Bernard, Donald, and Albert Burpee.
He dedicated his life to serving families in our community with care and compassion. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and his kindness to all is a priceless remembrance of a man well lived and loved.
A celebration of Gerry's life will be held at the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from Noon to 3, with prayers and words of remembrance at 3. Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery. Donations may be made in his memory to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston ME 04240.