BETHEL — Guy Franklin Burnham, 73, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family Saturday, March 25.

Guy was born Nov. 16, 1943, in Camden to Charles Edward and Marjorie Lois (Thurston) Burnham and was raised in Hanover with his brothers, Edward, David and Melvin.

As a young man, he was a talented athlete and state champion ski jumper. Guy graduated from Stephens High School with the Class of 1962.

Guy had an innate ability to make anything he put his mind to. He enjoyed painting pictures, cooking and turning wooden bowls on his lathe. He also enjoyed friends stopping by to pick his brain on how to fix things, whether it be mechanical or material. He was known for being meticulous about maintaining equipment, his appreciation for John Deere tractors, and saying, “It is what it is.”

Guy worked many years with his father surveying properties throughout Oxford County prior to working as a first-class millwright for Bancroft Corp. He was highly respected for his extensive knowledge of turbines and hydro dams. Following his retirement from H.E. Sargent in 2004, Cheryl could always find Guy on a morning conference call with his best friend, Bill Sawyer, discussing the daily crossword puzzle.

Guy married Cheryl Duchette of Bethel on Sept. 27, 2003. They enjoyed socializing at the Funky Red Barn, taking on home projects, and nothing would interrupt their Saturday morning yard sale ritual. They cherished time spent with their families whether at Old Orchard Beach or as the hosts of gatherings at their home in Bethel.

He will be missed by his wife, Cheryl (“love you more”); his children, Melanie Bouffard and husband, Michael, of Old Orchard, Barbara Dolloff and husband, Mark, of South Paris, Susan Mills and husband, Brian, of Andover, Matthew Burnham and wife, Stephanie, of Rumford Point, Denise Eliot Pruett and husband, Jon, of Waterford, John Eliot Jr. and wife, Tania, of Bethel, and Dawn-Marie Eliot Johnson and husband, Christopher, of Woodstock; his grandchildren, Ashley Bouffard, Joshua Bouffard and wife, Alyssa, Samantha Dolloff and fiancé, Ben Lamos, Eli Dolloff, Abby Mills and fiancé, Jonathan Gamble, Izaak Mills, Katherine Mills, Kourtney Burnham, Emily Burnham, Jessica Robichaud, Joey Robichaud, Dustin Eliot Edwards, Jonny Eliot Pruett, Joshua Eliot and Makenzie Eliot; special great-granddaughter, Mila Lamos; two brothers, David Burnham and wife, Jeanne, of Scarborough, Melvin Burnham and wife, Debra, of Skowhegan; the mother of his children, Patricia Adams Burnham; along with many special nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Charles Edward Burnham Jr.

Guy’s family extends their deepest appreciation to Dr. Medd, his entire medical staff, especially Althea, and to the Androscoggin Hospice staff, particularly his nurse, Debra.

Guy F. Burnham