Gilbert E. Burnham, Jr., 82, of Tiogue Avenue and formerly of Hardig Road, Warwick died June 10, 2012 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence. He was the beloved husband of Alice J. (McDuff) Burnham and of the late Madeline (Morgan) Burnham.
Born in Providence, a son of the late Gilbert E. and Margaret (Scott) Burnham Sr., he lived in Largo, Florida before returning to Warwick in 2007. He worked for 38 years in a metal findings foundry. He was a World War II United States Marine Corps veteran and a member of the American Legion William Shields Post 43, Warwick. He was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir. He loved to sing and also sang with the North Kingstown Chorus and the West Bay Choral. An avid reader, the Bible was his favorite book. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Goddard Park Seniors Golf League. He loved to play cribbage and chess and often was seen working on crossword and Sudoku puzzles.
Besides his wife he is survived by one son; Gary E. Burnham of Warwick, three daughters: Linda Mitchell of Coventry, Sandra Greene and Nancy DeSanto both of Warwick; five step children: Raymond Laprad, Thomas Laprad, Kathleen Santuri and Karen Boschetti all of Warwick and Jean White of Hudson, Fla.; one brother, William S. Burnham of Port Orange, Fla.; nineteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held on June 13 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Ave., West Warwick. A memorial service will be held on June 14 at 11:00 a.m. in Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1817 Warwick Ave., Warwick followed by inurnment with military honors in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main St., Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760, to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 205 Hallene Rd., Suite 209, Warwick, RI 02886 or to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904. Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com.
