LAKELAND, Fla. – Malcolm Wilder Burdin, 80, of Lakeland, Fla., and Strong, died peacefully from complications due to pneumonia, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Monday, March 28, with family by his side.

He was born in Rumford, on June 13, 1924, to Howard and Mary (Damon) Burdin. He attended Buckfield Grammar School, Leavitt Institute and graduated from Strong High School in 1941.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in May 1942, and was released to inactive reserve in November 1945. He served in the Pacific area, mainly in Guam and Bouganville, as a field radio operator with the HQ Company, 3rd Bn-3rd Marine Regiment-3rd Marine Division and was recalled to active service with the “D” battery 1st 90 mm anti-aircraft battalion in the early 1950s. He is an honoree of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., and was pleased to visit there in July 2004, as he was very proud of his Marine Corps service record.

He worked at the Forster Manufacturing Co., First National Stores in Strong and Wilton, Probert’s Market and Starbird Lumber Co. He retired from Nissen Baking Co., after 26 years of service.

Active in his community, he became a member of the Strong Fire Department in 1949. He was elected as chief from September 1970 to 1996, when he retired. The present fire station was named in his honor, The Malcolm W. Burdin Building. He was a member of the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association and also a member and past president of the Franklin County Firemen’s Association. He was a certified fire and arson investigator for Franklin County and involved in incorporating the 911 system in Strong. He was also a life member and past commander of Johnson-Cox Post 78 American Legion and a 55-year member of Davis and Blue Mountain Lodge of Masons.

He was a former deputy sheriff of Franklin County, former court security officer of Maine Court System, a member of the Narrow Gauge Snowmobile Club and the Strong ATV Club, served as superintendent of the Starbird Building for the Fair Association, served multiple terms as selectman, including chairman of the board, was trustee for the water district as well as the Forster Memorial Building, participated in the Porter Lake Association and was an active member of the Strong Methodist Church.

He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Toothaker of Lakeland, Fla., and Strong; five sons, Kendall Burdin and his wife, Ann, of Wilton, Jerold Burdin and his wife, Patricia, of Louisville, Ky., Robert Burdin and his wife, Trisha, of Phillips, James Burdin and his wife, Babbette, of Avon and Timothy Burdin and his wife, Sonya, of Freeman; a daughter, Sandra Yeaton and her husband, Niles, of Strong; daughter-in-law, Jean Richards; five stepchildren, Nancy Rogers and her husband, Dean, of Lebanon, Coe Toothaker Jr., of Hawaii, Jeff Toothaker and his wife, Karen, of Winthrop, Shirleen Offermann of New Jersey and Lori LaPlant and her husband, Richard, of Wilton; three sisters, Kathleen Shaw of Winthrop, formerly of Turner, Dorothy Reynolds and her husband, Stanley, of Farmington and Lois Norris and her husband, Ray, of Newmarket, N.H., and Zephyr Hills, Fla.; he is also survived and will be sadly missed by many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by parents, Howard and Mary Damon Burdin; baby daughter, Pamela; sons, Richard Burdin and Donald Richards; sister, Viola McCray; brother, Norman Burdin; and his wives, Eleanor Luce Burdin and Mildred Huff Richards Burdin.

“Proud public servant always happy to lend a helping hand.”

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