NORTHEAST HARBOR – W. Burnham Litchfield passed away Sunday, June 10, 2007. In his 98 years, Bud lived a full life. He was born in New Canaan, Conn., to Electus Darwin and Elisabeth Litchfield. He grew up in New York City and attended Choate, Kent and Johns Hopkins schools. Bud was always an adventurer, whether going to sea on the Henry Ford fishing schooner as a teenager and racing against the Blue Nose or driving alone to the tip of South America in his mid-80s. In the 1930s, he worked for PanAm and Sikorsky, South America, in various positions, and was the first one to fly a single engine airplane over the Andes. Just before the start of World War II, he was an exchange pilot from PanAm with Lufthanza Airlines, Germany. He joined the marines in World War II and was sent to the Philippines to re-commission captured airports to U.S. military use. In 1943, he married Jacqueline Story and moved to his parent’s summer home on Martha’s Vineyard to convert the airport for commercial use. He additionally ran a charter flight service, a fiberglass company and car dealership. He moved to Bermuda and raced Internationals, as well as a cruising class boat and later moved to Northeast Harbor, where he was an active member of the Fleet. He was an avid inventor, traveler, backgammon player, pilot and sailor, and always had a twinkle in his eye. He was a life member of the New York Union Club. Bud was predeceased by his wife, Jacqueline Story Litch-field; and special friend, Eleanor Lippincott. He is survived by daughters, Betsy Cetron of Bondville, Vt., and Story Litch-field of Northeast Harbor; son-in-law, Ted Cetron; and grandchildren, Jaime Cetron, Rob Cetron, Adam Wibby and Colin Wibby. A celebration of his life will be held later this summer. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Mount Desert Island Nursing Association or a local charity of your choice. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
W. BURNHAM LITCHFIELD
