Obituary of Thomas R. Burpee

THOMAS R. BURPEE, 80 of Swanville, died September 23, 2009 at a local hospital. He was born in Brownsville, Vermont July 5, 1929, the son of Lockwood and Estella (Oakes) Burpee. Tom was an entrepreneur, a go-getter. Most recently he owned and operated Bay and Mystical Limo and Taxi with his wife, Lorry. His proudest accomplishment was the reading program at Nickerson Elementary School in Swanville called “Pop Open a Book” program for the school. Tom is survived by his wife of 19 years, Lorry Burpee of Swanville; his sons, David and Debbie Burpee of Florida, John and Nancy Burpee of Lincoln, Nebraska, Thomas Burpee II and Sophie Whited of Swanville; his daughters, Judy and Bob Meuschke of Grandview, Missouri, Guylene and Steve Bean of Corinth, Missi and Ed Potter of Holden, Barbara and Clem Desso of Tennessee; two sisters, Hattie Nason of Bangor, Elizabeth Small of Bucksport; five brothers, Earl Burpee, Mickey Burpee, both of Florida, Raymond Burpee of Benedicta, Lockwood Brown of Bucksport, Ricky Jenkins of Brownville Junction; also his first wife, Marie Burpee. Funeral services will be held Saturday September 26th at the Searsport Full Gospel Church, 1 p.m. Donations may be made to “Pop Open a Book” Fund, Nickerson School, Swanville, ME 04915. Arrangements are under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast.