PITTSFIELD – Burton Gowen Hammond, 86, born in 1922 in Detroit, the son of Joshua C. and Christina A. (Gowen) Hammond, passed away March 6, 2009, at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Pittsfield. Burton attended Pittsfield schools, graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1941, where he was awarded the Master’s Cup. He graduated from Bates College in 1949, where he was honored to be a member of the college club and student council. Burton was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II serving in Brazil. Burt was a partner in the Lehr-Hammond Insurance Agency, Pittsfield, for many years, and then was a field agent for Patrons Oxford Mutual Insurance Co., Auburn. He was active in civic affairs: town council, planning board, Little League, school board chairman SAD 53 and First Baptist Church treasurer. Burt was a member of the original committee that founded Sebasticook Valley Hospital and member of the board of directors of the hospital for many years. Burton was an avid sports enthusiast, public servant, dedicated family man and was always happy to serve. He will be sorely missed. His quiet strength, impish humor and steadfast integrity will be remembered by all who came in contact with him. His uncompromising insistence on seeing all sides of a problem and willingness to risk his pocketbook to do what is right will be a cherished legacy to his family. For many years his summers were spent at a cottage on Bailey Island, Casco Bay. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Bartlett Hammond of Pittsfield; five children, Jean C. Watts and her husband, Harley, of Glenburn, Katina H. Peppard and her husband, Josh, of Hampden, Stephen J. Hammond of Newport, N.H., Scott G. Hammond and his wife, Paula, of Pittsfield and James B. Hammond and his wife, Donna, of Pittsfield, 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Nedra Swartz of Columbus, Ohio, Barbara Withers of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Hazel Harbison of Lakeland, Fla. He was predeceased by his brother, Marshall Hammond; and his granddaughter, Whitney Hammond. A memorial service will be conducted 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at First Baptist Church, Main Street, Pittsfield, with the Rev. Bill Johnson officiating. He will be laid to rest in the spring at Village Cemetery, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Burton’s memory to First Baptist Church Deacon’s Fund, Main Street, Pittsfield, ME 04967 or Pittsfield Community Christmas Program, care of Earl Dean Pittsfield, ME 04967. Local arrangements are entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, Newport. To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes, please visit PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.
BURTON GOWEN HAMMOND
