George Thompson Burlingham

George Thompson Burlingham of Bluffton, SC passed away peacefully at his home on March 17, 2009. He was born on August 8, 1921 in Norwich, Connecticut, the son of George Anson Burlingham and Edith Thompson Burlingham. The Burlingham family owned and operated the Maple Croft Greenhouses and Truck Gardens and a grocery store on West Main Street in Norwich. Mr. Burlingham attended the Norwich Free Academy and was a member of the class of 1940. He began his career as a beverage distributor for Thames Club Beverage and subsequently bought and operated his own distributorship in Eastern Connecticut.On June 16, 1945 at the Taftville Congregational Church, George was united in marriage to Shirley Doris Mellor who survives him. He is also survived by two daughters, June LeClair (Roger) and Lois Shumway (Peter) of Hilton Head Island, SC, a granddaughter Tracy LeClair Snyder (Brian), and two great granddaughters Paige and Taylor Snyder of Seneca, South Carolina. He was predeceased by his brother Douglas A. Burlingham.The Burlingham family moved to Lisbon, CT in 1952. George was active for many years in the Lisbon Fire Dept., where he was the assistant chief and founding member of the ambulance service, and also served on the Lisbon Central School Board of Education.In 1970, George and Shirley moved to West Dummerston, Vermont where he began his second career as the Supervisor of Real Estate, Maintenance and Transportation for the Experiment in International Living, School for International Training.In 1986, the couple retired to North Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce, Florida where they happily resided until 2004 when they moved to the Hilton Head area to be closer to their family.George was an Associate Member of the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton, SC 29910 or to a charity of choice. Friends may call on Friday, March 20, from 5 - 7 PM at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton. Internment will be on Saturday, April 18, at the Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich, CT.Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.saulsfh.com)