Louis Edward Burnham Jr., 87, of Boothbay Harbor died June 14, 2020 at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta after battling a long illness.

He was born at home Sept. 17, 1932 at Ocean Point, Boothbay, the son of Frances (Odlum) and Louis E. Burnham Sr. He graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School, Class of 1950.

A lifelong resident of Boothbay Harbor, he married Gloria M. Lorrain on Feb. 10, 1952. Gloria passed away on July 12, 2004.

Louis and Gloria never owned a car but worked hard and managed to raise seven children – five boys and two girls.

He spent over 60 years in the local grocery business, managing several stores and owning Colonial Market. He worked at Brewer’s Market on the east side of Boothbay Harbor, the A&P and First National stores downtown. At the First National/Finast store on the meadow, he was one of the first and youngest managers. He also worked at Greenleaf’s Market in West Boothbay Harbor, Carbone’s Boothbay Fruit Company and others. His grandparents owned Burnham’s Store at Ocean Point.

Louis served on the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen for four terms, the town’s budget committee for several years, and after “retiring” from the grocery business, worked for the police department as parking supervisor. He truly cared about the town and how it conducted its business. Because he knew so much about the region, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce honored him with its Ambassador Award in 2010.

He thoroughly enjoyed following the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and Boston Celtics. He was an avid newspaper reader, relished being with family and friends, loved to reminisce about area families and relations, and despite being ill the past few years, remained upbeat with life.

Besides his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Faye Gray, brother-in-law, Merlin Gray, and son-in-law, Marten Dale Lewis Jr.

He is survived by his children: Sheryl Lewis of Frankford, Delaware, Bruce of Boothbay, Kevin (Melodee) of Boothbay, Scott (Ann) of Saco, Glenn of Boothbay, Elaine Devereaux of Brunswick, and David of Southport; sister, Sheila Sears of Boothbay; sister-in-law, Anna Smart of Indiana; grandchildren, Daniel Lewis of Maryland, Kimberly David of Delaware, Ashley Revel of Delaware, Sara Watts of Southport, Garreth Burnham of Edgecomb, Timothy Burnham of Nebraska, Jeremy Burnham of Westbrook, Derek Burnham of Westbrook, Alexander Burnham of Saco, Brittany Devereaux of Massachusetts, Brooke Devereaux of Washington state, Matthew Burnham of Boothbay, Samuel Burnham of Boothbay; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Nick, Ella, Kayla, Lila, Brynlee, Hunter, Harper, Joselle and Jaselena, Jeffery; nieces and nephews, Paul Lorrain, Debbie (Lorrain) Dieterle, Cathy Hodgdon, Victoria Gruhlke, Valarie Smart-Higgins, Michael Smart, Mark, David, Eric, Jason and Christina Lorrain, Kirk Brewer and Julia Latter; three stepgrandchildren, Leon Folsom and Katie Lombardi, both of Saco; and Ashley Szczepanek of Pearland, Texas; and step-great-grandchildren, Reese, Rylee, Audrey and Emily.

A memorial service is being planned for later this year and will be announced.

Hall's of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com