LACONIA ---- John Calvin Burbank, 90, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Laconia.
John was born in Laconia, on October 21, 1932, to Irwin and Leona (Heartford) Burbank.
He attended schools in Laconia graduating in 1950, and until recently, he attended the monthly class luncheons. He joined the US Navy during the Korean War and served abroad the USS Rook and later, the aircraft carrier Antietam, where he was a medical corpsman. He received several awards of merit.
After his military duty, John enrolled at UNH. Following graduation and became a teacher. But he found his calling as an employment counselor for the state of New Hampshire. After his retirement from the state, John used his considerable gifts of compassion and commitment to others by becoming a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, a passion that suited him and his clients perfectly. At the same time, John worked part-time for Sawyer’s Jewelry, and spent considerable time volunteering with St. Vincent DePaul Society. With his gregarious nature, infectious smile, and an attitude of “never having met a stranger,” John became known as the “Social Director,” as he knew so many regular donors to the Society as they entered the back door.
In addition to these roles, John served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army, was a member of the Laconia Friendship Club, and a member of the American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the Congregational Church where he served multiple terms as Chair of the Diaconate, sang in the choir, and was a member of many different committees. Indeed, his service to the church was marked by receiving the Church Service Award in 2008, and later being placed on the Perpetual Record as Honorary Deacon. He was “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
But John was more than a volunteer. He was a “caring servant of the Lord” as he saw his life as one of service to others. He was quick to offer assistance to those in need, and those who just needed a friend with an open ear. He gave not just of his time, but of his heart. Because to John, life was about love. He shared his limitless love through telling stories, talking with friends and people he barely knew. He even had conversations with the birds in his backyard that he fed, not only with food, but with his spirit of kindness and connectedness.
John’s legacy of love and kindness lives on through sister Judy Hook (Ronnie) of Gilmanton, brother Arthur Burbank (Jeanne) of Laconia, daughters, Alison Conyea (Peter) of Phoenix, Arizona, Karen Adams (Norman) of Northfield, and Lisa Huckins (David) of Tilton, step-daughter, Becky Guyer (Bo) of Sanbornton, and Scott Jamieson (Linda) of Meredith, NH, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who cherish his memory. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Elsie Jamieson Burbank.
Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 4:00pm-6:00pm, at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette
Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246, using the Carriage House entrance.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11:00am, at the Congregational Church of Laconia, 69 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Burial will take place on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 11:00am, at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.