Robert J. Burbank

Robert J. Burbank, 79, a longtime resident of Sanford, died October 5 in North Carolina after a lengthy illness.He was born in Bangor on October 16, 1935, the son of Fred H. and Phyllis (Haley) Burbank. He was a 1955 graduate of Bangor High School, attended Maine Central Institute, Husson College and was a 1957 graduate of the New England Institute of Funeral Service in Boston.He was a veteran of the US Army serving in Korea from 1958 to 1960.Bob worked in several funeral homes in Maine and Massachusetts. He was employed with the former L. A. Hurd Funeral Home in Sanford and then with the former Heald Funeral Home in Springvale for many years.He was a former member of the Preble Masonic Lodge in Sanford and a former member of the Bangor Baptist Church.Surviving are his beloved wife of 33 years, Ima Jackson Burbank of North Carolina; two daughters, Sonia Nichols of Sanford, Pamela Sullivan and husband, Lou of Lisbon Falls, three step-children, Julie Bell and husband, Michael of Lake Adger, NC, Randy Littlefield of Berwick, Chris Littlefield and wife, Michelle of Sanford, one brother, Harold Burbank and wife, June of Kennebunk, one sister, Bette Smith and husband, Russ of Cape Elizabeth, one brother-in-law, Dr. Larry Bailey of Harpswell, eight grandchildren, Cody Nichols, Mindy Sullivan, Daniel Sullivan, Rebekah Robson, Nathaniel Robert Sullivan, Emma Sullivan, Cassidy Sullivan and Katrina Sullivan and one great-grandson, Oliver Robson.Committal services with military honors will be held on Thursday, July 21 at 2:00 PM at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road in Springvale.Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service of Sanford-Springvale is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.