John A. Burnell

John A. 'Bun' Burnell, 77, of North Shapleigh, died April 20 at St. Andre's Health Care Facility in Biddeford after a lengthy illness.He was born in Westbrook on December 2, 1930, the son of John R. and Dorothy (Brill) Burnell. He was a 1949 graduate of Sanford High School.Bun worked for a while at the Green Tanning Co. in Milton Mills, NH, but for most of his life he worked as a woodsman, mainly for Lavalley Lumber. In later years, he worked as a security guard at the Goodall Hospital in Sanford. For many years he served as the sexton at the Highland Grove Cemetery in No. Shapleigh.Family members recalled his love of the outdoors, especially the woods. Although a woodsman by trade, he also enjoyed cutting wood in his spare time. He was a putterer and handyman and always had a few projects 'in the works.' He always bought Ford products. If it had an engine inside, it usually said FORD outside.He was a longtime member of the Day Spring Lodge #107 AF & AM in W. Newfield.Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Dorothea (Finnegan) Burnell of No. Shapleigh, son John H. Burnell and his wife Rhonda of No. Shapleigh, son Edward E. Burnell and his wife Diana of Alfred, daughter Ann Marie Orendorff and her husband Wayne of Moline, IL, daughter Mary L. Reed and her husband Donnie of W. Newfield, daughter Debra L. Long and her husband Richard of Limerick, daughter Elizabeth B. Radley and her husband Chris of W. Newfield and 11 grandchildren.Services will be private with burial to be in Highland Grove Cemetery in North Shapleigh. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the National Kidney Foundation of Maine, P. O. Box 1134, Portland, ME 04104. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.