Richard M. Burdick

Richard Morton Burdick, 84, of Hampton, beloved husband of 54 years to Jean (Doblinger) Burdick, passed away peacefully at home on December 21, 2013. Born in Windham on August 26, 1929 he was the son of the late Morton and Mary (Horton) Burdick. Richard was a graduate of Windham High School Class of '47. He was a four year member of F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) serving as President his junior year. He received the F.F. A. American Farmer Degree in 1949 and was invited to attend the group's National Convention in Kansas City, MO. He and his family moved to the farm in Hampton in 1937. It was there where Richard honed his skills as a dairy farmer and worked long hours cutting and baling hay and raising broilers. In the early 60's, now with a family of his own, Richard set his sights on a new direction and transformed the farm into a Christmas tree plantation. With the help of his brother Donald and their often, Herculean work ethic, the Burdick Family Farm became one of the most prolific tree growers in the country. Like Richard, his trees exuded a fullness of life and still today, brighten hundreds of homes throughout Southern New England during the Christmas season. Besides his devout love for his family, he cherished the land and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, trapping, fishing and serving for many years on Hampton's Conservation Committee. Always willing to lend a helping hand to his many friends in the community, Richard was the consummate "teacher" who freely offered his skills and vast knowledge to anyone who shared his many interests. In addition to his agricultural duties, he was a successful construction contractor and a very knowledgeable financier and investor whose dream was that all of his future generations would have the opportunity to attend the college of their choice. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Jean,two daughters, Lynn Burdick and Michael Chapel, Kathleen Burdick-LaChance and her husdband Raymond LaChance; four precious grandchildren, Tristyn and Shaelyn Drake, Zachary and Nicholas Burdick-Chapel; a loyal brother Donald and his wife Marilyn, sisters-in-law Arlene Becker, Jane (Roderick Nichols); nieces, Joy (Thomas Tyler), Judith (Ben Buell), Heidi (Robert Rondeau) and Theresa Becker; nephews Mark (Joy) Becker, David Doblinger and Joshua (Aleah) Doblinger, as well as several grandnieces and nephews. His family will receive relatives and friends on Friday Dec. 27, 2013 between 5:00 and 8:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. His funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 am at Federated Church of Christ, Rte. 6 & Rte. 169, Brooklyn, CT. Burial will follow in Litchfield Cemetery, Hampton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be offered in Richard's name to Day Kimball Healthcare, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. For an online expression of sympathy to the family please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com . .