Obituary of John Joel Burton

John Joel Burton, 99, of Washington (Warren County), N.J., passed away peacefully at his home Jan. 4, 2013. Known as "Uncle Jack" to his family, he was born Sept. 7, 1913, in Bedford, Va., a son of the late Joel William and Clara Clark (Crippen) Burton. He had lived in Washington for 30 years, previously living in Cranford, N.J., and Chepachet, R.I. John graduated from Burrillville High School, class of 1931, and from Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island), class of 1936, with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. After working for a number of firms in New York and Pennsylvania during the Depression and during World War II, he ended working for the Diamond Alkali Chemical Company, ultimately managing their plant in Newark, N.J. After surviving serious injuries from a major explosion at the plant in 1960, he obtained his professional engineer's license and worked as a consultant. His consultant work took him to many places throughout the world, including India, Turkey, Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela and Bolivia. He was a member of the American Chemical Society. In addition to his travels for his consultancy, John was interested in seeing other countries with different political perspectives, including the former USSR, Czechoslovakia, and took several trips to Cuba. While he lived in Cranford, John coached several Little League and Cougar League teams in the 1960s. In the summer, one could often find him in the back yard playing chess with his neighbors. John was very active; he bowled on a league in Washington, N.J., and continued to chop his own firewood and help with the mowing on the Burton Farm into his 90s. He was an avid reader and writer until the end of his life. John will be remembered by many for his many letters to the editor on a wide range of political, social and economic topics, with his most recent letter published in December 2012. He donated 112 acres to the Glocester Land Trust in 1997, which is now known as The Burton Woodland. He is survived by his son, Allen and his wife Barbara Wolf Burton of Westfield, N.J.; two grandchildren, Matthew and Abby Burton, both of Westfield, N.J.; many nieces and nephews; and his caregiver of two years, Susan Beers. In addition to his parents, a brother Bill Burton and two sisters, Caroline Burton and Marjorie Brush, predeceased him. He also was predeceased by his former wife, Florence Burton. There will be a family gathering in July 2013 at the Burton Farm in Chepachet, at which time John will be remembered and honored. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's honor to Population Connection, or to the Glocester Land Trust, 1145 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington, Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. To send an on-line condolence, please visit