Burton M. Bessey, Jr.

Newport, NH-Burton Mark Bessey, Jr., 87, died Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Woodlawn Healthcare Center in Newport. 

He was born in Derry, NH on December 14, 1927 the son of Burton M. and Cora (Cross) Bessey, Sr.  Burt was raised with a Methodist background and graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont, NH.  He served in the US Navy during WWII in the Pacific.

He was a percussionist in jazz and swing bands including the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club Orchestra, The Silhouettes, and the Bob Cunniff Orchestra.  He also played in several town bands, marching bands and in the Legion Drum Corps and taught drum to many aspiring percussionists in the Claremont area for many years.  While Burt’s love of music occupied many evenings and weekends, he also worked for the Coca Cola Co., and the Canteen Company.   Burt was an owner of the Sunapee Community Store and was asked to stay on for several years by the new owners as their expert meat cutter. 

Burt’s family meant everything to him.  Burt and his wife, Barbara shared their mutual love of music with all their children.  There was always music playing or being played in their home.  There was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Burt had a magical ability to make each one feel special often giving each a special nickname used only by him.  He also loved camping at Harvey Lake in Vermont with his family, his beloved fishing boat in which spent decades fishing on Lake Sunapee always trying to catch an elusive salmon.  One of his favorite past times was his annual fishing trip to Lake Winnipesauke with his son, Mark.  On Winnipesauke, the salmon were less elusive and Burt was called the “salmonizer.” He was a member of the Claremont American Legion and the Newport American Legion.  A highlight for him was a trip to Washington, DC in May 2013 on the WWII Honor Flight. 

Burt was predeceased by several sisters and a brother.  He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara (King) Bessey of Sunapee Cove, Georges Mills, NH; a son and his wife, Mark and Lauri Bessey of Brownsville, VT, 4 daughters, Felicia Bessey and her husband, Robert Bates of Sunapee, NH, Deborah and her husband, Robert Monson of Concord, NH, Pamela and her husband, Harold Bigelow of Winchester, NH and Lorna and her husband, Gary Gelinas of Auburn, NH; 8 grandchildren,  Allison McLean, Ross Rechisky, Jon Monson, Jennifer Labrie, Justin Bigelow, Jodie Hoye, Eric Gelinas and Steven Gelinas; 14 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. at The Old Courthouse Restaurant, 30 Main Street, Newport, NH with military honors, and a memorial service followed by fellowship.  Burt touched the lives of many.  All are invited.  Memorial contributions may be made to an American Legion Post or to the charity of one’s choice.

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