SCARBOROUGH – Leon Everett Burbank of 75 State St., Portland, and formerly of South Portland died May 3, 2006. Leon Everett Burbank was born July 13, 1918, in Portland, son of Leon Ira and Mabel Eleanor (Tibbetts) Burbank. He was educated in the public schools of Portland and South Portland, graduating from South Portland High School in 1936. He was employed for more than 47 years by the W.L. Blake Co., Portland, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and separated from the service as a captain. In 1942, Leon married Roberta Frances Elliott, from which union was born Deane Arthur in 1945 and Thomas Robert in 1953. Following “Bobby’s” death in 1965, he was married to Barbara Clark Hardy in 1967. As a trombonist and amateur vocalist, Leon’s interest in music was “noteworthy,” commencing with membership in the Gannett Publishing Company’s “Carrier Boys Band” and the first South Portland High School band in the early 30’s, Maine Music Camp at Castine in 1939, and the South Portland Community Chorus and the Community Orchestra of the Portland Symphony in later years. A longtime member of the First Congregational Church of South Portland, U.C.C., Leon served the church in various capacities, a member of the Chancel Choir, beginning in 1955, the building committee, beginning in 1960, the Diaconate, and the Board of Trustees. He was honored to be elected an elder in 1986. Leon’s participation and service in community organizations was equally extensive. For many years he was active in the South Portland Lions Club, was a member of the Torch Club of Western Maine, and held life membership status in the Maine Association of Engineers. He served as Master of Hiram Lodge No. 180 FM & AM, South Portland, in 1958 and was also a member of the Valley of Portland, Scottish Rite Consistory, and Kora Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. in Lewiston. Leon’s deep interest in history and reading enhanced his love of travel in his retirement years. Family and friends often gathered for cookouts and water sports at Leon’s camp on Little Sebago Lake, where he summered for many years and made lasting friendships with his neighbors. He is survived by his wife Barbara of Portland; son, Deane of Puyallup, Wash.; son, Thomas, of Indio, Calif.; sister, Eleanor Howe of Sandston, Va.; sister, Marilyn Ayer of Fort Pierce, Fla.; stepson, Thomas Hardy of South Portland; stepson, Richard Hardy of Framingham, Mass.; five grandchildren; and 10 greatgrandchildren, residing in Oregon, Nevada, Virginia and California; as well as six stepgrandchildren living in the New England states. There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the First Congregational Church, 301 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A reception will follow at the Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Kora Shrine Hospital, 11 Sabattus St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Arrangements are by the Hobbs Funeral Home.
LEON EVERETT BURBANK
