Arnold "Arnie" J. Burgess

AUBURN - Arnold (Arnie) J. Burgess passed away suddenly on October 2, 2016 at the age of 84. Arnold married Roberta June Tiffany on December 21, 1957 at East Auburn Baptist Church, his wife of nearly 59 years. He is survived by his wife Roberta, his four sons and daughter in-laws; David and Susan Burgess from Greene, Ronald and Susan Burgess from Milford, NH; Scott Burgess from Albuquerque, NM; and Gregory and Patricia Burgess from New Gloucester; His grandchildren Nicole, Tiffany, Andrew, Philip, Seth, Danny and Garrett Burgess and Sarah Harmer; His great-grandchildren Amelia, Jaccob and Nora Simpson, and another great granddaughter due in February. Arnold was born the son of Lloyd and Mildred Burgess on June 18, 1932 at the family farm in Livermore. Arnold resided in East Auburn most of his life. Arnie was one of five children including Lloyd Jr., Betty (Thayer), Glendon, and Sandra (Oliver). Arnold is survived by one sister, Sandy Oliver from Lewiston ME. He entered the United States Navy in January of 1951, serving four years aboard the USS Chilton (APA-38) as a motorboat operator during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in December 1954. Arnie studied Heating and Air Conditioning at Maine Vocational Technical Institute. He served as President of Northeastern Refrigeration Inc., until his retirement in 1997. An avid outdoorsman, Arnold loved to hunt and fish, earning him the nickname “Fisher”. He enjoyed many years fishing with his brother, Glen, providing fresh trout to the annual family fish fry at Bear Pond. He played softball with the East Auburn Lakers until he was near 70, and participated in East Auburn basketball and volleyball teams. In his later years, Arnie enjoyed playing cribbage, and “taking the old people’s money” at the Lewiston Senior Cribbage League. One of Arnie’s favorite places was the Burgess’ camp on Bear Pond where the family spent every summer since 1971. There he entertained family and friends with outdoor games such as bocce ball, horseshoes, volleyball tournaments and swimming with the grandchildren. Many summer evenings were spent around Arnie’s best (and biggest) campfires. Arnold was always willing to lend a hand to family, friends and community. He served as a president of the East Auburn Community Unit, and organized activities such as Halloween Parties and The Little World Fair. Arnie was an active member of the Bear Pond Improvement Association. He was hospitable, loved to entertain, and “over feed” visitors. Arnie was a man with a large personality. He will be missed! Anyone wishing to memorialize Arnie is invited to make a donation in his name to the East Auburn Baptist Church Building Fund, 560 Park Ave. Auburn, Maine 04210, or the Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave. Lewiston, Maine 04240. Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting Arnold’s online guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com A visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Friday October 7, 2016 at Fortin/AUBURN. A Mass will be celebrated at East Auburn Baptist Church in Auburn at 11 am on Saturday October 8, 2016. A private committal will follow at a later date. A service of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St. Auburn, Maine 04210.