SOUTH THOMASTON — Burton H. Hendricks, 87, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, due to complications of a stroke, Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta.

Born in Kansas City, January 8, 1933, he was the son of Burton H. and Florence Rand Hendricks.

In 1952, he graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri. In June of that same year, Burt joined the USCG; he had never seen the ocean! He was stationed aboard the USCG Laurel buoy tender in Rockland.

It was in Rockland that Burt met the love of his life Irma “Ema” Cavarsan. As the story was told by Burt: while at a house gathering with friends, he saw Ema playing the piano. He went and sat down beside her on the bench and that was it! Love at first sight. They married on June 1, 1955, settled into their home on the St. George Road where they raised their five children. Burt and Ema were happily married for 49 years.

In 1958, Burt was hired by Prudential Insurance Company where he sold insurance until he retired in 1988. This was the era when agents went door to door selling life insurance and collected monthly payments. Being the
social person that he was, Burt thoroughly enjoyed visiting with his clients, sharing a good story, joke or laugh.

Burt served many families in the Midcoast area throughout those thirty years which he enjoyed.

Burt was an active member of the South Thomaston Lions Club for 61 years. Whether it was attending a meeting, helping to deliver Thanksgiving baskets, selling lobsters or Christmas trees at the Lions Shack or helping to raise funds for their scholarship fund; Burt was happy to serve. He also was a member of the Rockland Masons Lodge No. 0189 for 59 years and Rockland Elks Lodge No. 1008 for 53 years. He enjoyed the many friendships he made through these local organizations who in return helped to support him when he needed it in his elder years.

While raising his family, Burt took up and enjoyed gardening. One year, Burt had an abundance of cucumbers, he and Ema decided to sell them on their front lawn. That was so successful, Burt built a vegetable stand. As
the gardens grew and the years went by, Ema and the kids helped to sow, weed, harvest and sell a variety of vegetables. Through his gardens, Burt helped instill in his children a hard work ethic. Working in ‘The Stand’ also taught them how to add numbers, make change and interact with people. The money they made each summer came in handy when buying school clothes in the fall.

Out of Burt’s garden adventure came the creation of the ‘Pumpkin People’. This was an annual Halloween front lawn display made from pumpkins he grew in his garden. After the family chose their yearly theme, Burt would build the wooden frames. His wife Ema, children and grandchildren would help paint, stuff and dress the characters. The ‘Pumpkin People’ display became a Hendricks family tradition which many passersby on the St. George Road enjoyed. Every year, a picture of their creation made the local Courier Gazette paper.

Burt was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to support a family member in need; no matter what the circumstances were. His house was open to his family and friends where he would greet them warm heartedly. He always had a positive outlook on life, loved a good laugh and was the life of the party at family gatherings.

Music was a big part of Burt’s life. He taught himself to play the guitar at age twelve; a skill he carried with him his entire life. Burt loved country music and never passed up an opportunity to jam and sing with friends. He was known to pull out his guitar at family and friend gatherings to entertain the crowd. This usually included singing all his favorite Hank Williams tunes. His legacy in music will live on through his children and grandchildren and he will remain in our hearts forever.

Burt was predeceased by his wife, Irma, in 2005; brothers, Harold W. Hendricks in 1942, and Paul Hendricks in 2005; and great-granddaughter Alexis Ann Davis in 2015.

Burt is survived by his five children, Deb Kendall and her husband Austin of New Sharon, Angela Johnson and her husband Dale of Spruce Head, Karen Russell and her husband Ron of South Thomaston, John Hendricks and his wife Sonya of Rockland and Jim Hendricks and his wife Tina of West Falmouth.

He will be forever missed by fifteen grandchildren, Lena Kendall and her partner Mike Knowles of Freeport, Zakary Kendall and his partner Malia Demers of Belfast, Lilly Kendall of New Sharon, Sam Johnson of Spruce Head, Rachel Johnson of Orono, Brianne Catalano and her husband Tom of Mountain View, California, Jenna Russell and her husband Ron Parker of Port St Lucie, Florida, Natalie Russell and her fiancé Shawn Davis of Vinalhaven, Brittany Young and her fiancé Heath Curtis, Daniel ‘Danny’ Hendricks all of South Thomaston, Adam Young of Vinalhaven, Keenan Hendricks of Owls Head, Grace Young of Winterport, Adelaide Hendricks of Rockland and Shea Hendricks of West Falmouth.

He leaves behind four great grandchildren, Noelle Catalano of Mountain View, California, Aidan Davis of Vinalhaven, Gwenyth Curtis of South Thomaston, and Henry Young of Winterport.

He also leaves two special cousins, Lee Bishop and his wife Lois and Sylvia Gauthier all of Louisburg, Kansas, as well as several nieces, nephews and a countless number of close friends.

Due to the current COVID-19 guidelines, no service will be held at this time. A celebration of Burt’s life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Thomaston Lions Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Rich Norman, P.O. Box 307 South Thomaston, ME 04858.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Burt’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com