Burton "Burt" H. Lynde

Burton “Burt” Hugh Lynde, 97, passed away peacefully at Life Care Center of Leominster Sunday, February 19, 2017.

Burt was born in Colrain, Massachusetts, on April 26, 1919, son of the late Osdin R. and Edith F. Lynde.  Burt attended local schools in Colrain and graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, in 1937.

In 1939, Burt came to Pepperell to work at a local apple orchard for two weeks, and he stayed for 77 years.  In 1942, he married Doris Shattuck of Pepperell, and they were married for over 67 years until her death in 2010.  Burt worked 24 years at the Groton Leatherboard Company in West Groton until its closing and then 14 years at Hollingsworth & Vose in West Groton until his retirement in 1986.  He also worked at Blood Farm in West Groton.  Burt enjoyed farming, and he raised Polled Herefords on the family’s Lyndell Farm.  He was also well-known locally for his hard cider.

Burt proudly served with the United States Army in World War II, and he was a member of the Pepperell VFW Post 3291, Independent Order of Odd Fellows 175 Beacon Lodge, and Prescott Grange #73.

Burt is survived by four daughters, Joan Lynde of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, Jean Morse of Groton, Joy Vilasuso of Pepperell, and Jan Colburn and her husband Rob of Pepperell; one son, Jon (“Jack”) Lynde and his wife Linda of Pepperell; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; a large extended family; and many wonderful friends.

Besides his parents and wife, Doris S. Lynde, Burt was predeceased by his sister, Marjorie Petrin, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and his brother, Harold Lynde, of Colrain.  He was also predeceased by two sons-in-law, Ronald Vilasuso and Edward Morse.