Surrounded by loving family in the home he built himself, David (Dave) Burton passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026 after a long, courageous struggle with multiple health conditions. He was 78 years old.

Dave was born in Waterville, Maine on January 16, 1948, the first of seven children born to Donald and Leora (Edith) Burton (Williams). He was a lifelong resident of Belgrade and graduated from Belgrade High School as salutatorian in 1966. After attending SMVTI and earning an associate’s degree in electrical technology, Dave voluntarily enlisted in the Army and proudly served as a ‘missile man’ with the 65th Artillery from 1968 to 1971. Later, as a patient at the Togus VA hospital, Dave met a pleasant young hospital employee from ‘The County’ who would turn out to be his lifelong love and partner. David and Carolyn (Barnes) Burton were married on August 3rd, 1974 and through all the ups and downs, shared 52 wonderful years together.

A licensed master electrician for 35 years, Dave was employed by various companies, but his longest tenure was working for Digital Equipment in Augusta where he met many good friends. Later, his passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors would lead him to attend schools in Iowa and Montana to learn the art of taxidermy, and he brought those skills home to operate his own business for 10 years until his declining health forced him to retire. An interest in giving back to the town he loved led him to be trained as an EMT and he spent 10 years with Belgrade Fire and Rescue, earning Rescue Person of the Year in 1999.

Dave was happiest spending time with his family and in the outdoors. He loved his wife, his two boys and (especially) his grandchildren fiercely and never let his health issues interfere with him being present for them with a smile on his face. He was a huge fan of the Red Sox and Patriots, enjoyed gardening and spending quiet time on his land, often just looking at the trees. He was also thrilled to see his lifelong dream of having a camp on the water come to fruition and spent as much time as possible there with Carolyn and his family.

David was predeceased by his parents Donald and Leora, a sister Brenda (Burton) Hilliker, and a brother Brandon Burton. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, son Ryan and his wife Amanda of Mount Vernon, son Travis and his wife Bethany of Belgrade, and four very special grandchildren – Nathaniel, Silas, Eliana and Blake. Also surviving are a sister, Bonnie Burton of Winslow, a brother Terry and his wife Claudia of Belgrade, a brother Michael of Belgrade, a brother Wayne and his wife Shirley of Chicopee, Massachusetts and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care in Augusta and MaineGeneral Homecare and Hospice for the wonderful care that Dave received.

Dave’s funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street in Waterville followed by a reception. An internment at Pine Grove Cemetery will be held later that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Belgrade Fire and Rescue Association : 990 Augusta Road Belgrade, ME 04917