William B. Rawding, “Burt” was a construction worker for Local #33 in Boston for over 40 years. He helped to shape the Boston skyline from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. He was born in Framingham, Massachusetts but spent most of his childhood in Kentville, Nova Scotia with his younger sisters, Marilyn and Edith. He was the son of William H. and Amelia Rawding. Burt served in the Canadian Army and the American Navy. He was one of the first to serve on the USS Cusk, a nuclear submarine. He was as patriotic as any man and proudly flew both the American Flag and the Canadian Maple Leafs paying tribute to the two countries for whom he served and loved his entire adult life. He married Jean Scott Fraser in 1952 and together they raised 5 remarkable children with great love in Medford, Massachusetts. He was married to Jeannie for 30 years and after she passed away, he subsequently married her good friend and next door neighbor, Anne Muller, an event that Jeannie would surely have appreciated. They enjoyed another 20 years together before Anne passed away. In marrying Anne, he gained another loving family.
Burt instilled in his children a sense of honor, love of country, strong work ethic and commitment to family values. He is survived by his 5 children and partners, Patti-Jean & (David), William S. “Scott” & (Beth), Eric & (Koren), Ellen & (Natalie), and Kimberley & (Bob), and 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his 3 step children and their partners, Coleen Covino, Frederick Muller & (Yvonne) and Cathy Graziano & (Rocky) and 10 grandchildren.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to the staff of the Edgewood Center in Portsmouth, NH for their loving support and wonderful care provided to dad throughout his stay, in his final days and final hours.
Services for Burt were held on Monday, September 10, 2012 from 4 to 8 pm at the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home at 29 Governors Avenue in Medford, Massachusetts. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 265, Burlington, MA 01803.