Horace Parker Burnham, November 27, 1922 – January 13, 2024
Former Tolland, CT and New Port Richey, FL resident, Horace Burnham died in hospice care in Attleboro, MA on January 13th at the age of 101. Born in Hartford, he was son of the late Ralph Burnham and Mabel (Nelson) Burnham. Horace grew up in the farming community of East Hartford. He served in the army during World War II and was preparing for deployment to Japan when the war ended.
After the war, Horace settled in Hartford with his young family. He was employed by the Sumner Willson Co. of Hartford, and the Blake Equipment Company of Hartford and Bloomfield, CT where he worked for over thirty years. In retirement, Horace enjoyed driving throughout the northeast for Southern Auto Auctions of East Windsor, CT.
Horace and his wife, Jay, moved to Tolland in 1955. He was a member of the Elks Club of Rockville, CT for over sixty years and served as exalted ruler in 1966-67. Horace was a parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Vernon, CT where he served as senior warden. He later attended St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bolton, CT, also becoming senior warden, and a member of the choir. When they moved to Florida, Horace and Jay attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in New Port Richey, FL where he joined the vestry. In his later years, Horace was a loyal parishioner of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion, MA.
Married for seventy-three years, Horace and his beloved wife Jay loved to travel, including memorable vacations in Hawaii, Ireland, and Poland as well as many road trips across the United States.
Throughout his life Horace made friends wherever he went. A natural storyteller, he would often share an anecdote about his long life that was interesting, sometimes funny, but always satisfying.
He is survived by his sons, Roger of New Port Richey, FL, and David (Beth) of Mansfield, MA, two grandchildren, Katherine (Robert McKinley) of East Providence, RI, and Laura (Jeremy Raguain) of Brooklyn, NY, a great-grandson (Peter), born just four days after Horace’s death, as well as many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his devoted wife, Josephine “Jay” (Kalina) Burnham and a son, Gerald.
He will live forever in the hearts of his family and his many wonderful friends.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, March 15 at 11:00am at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street in Marion, MA. The service may be viewed by streaming www.vimeo.com/event/22196. Interment will take place on Monday, March 18 at 11:00am at Center Cemetery in East Hartford, CT.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Horace P. Burnham may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey, FL 34652.