In Memory

Gordon R. (Sandy) Sherburne

Gordon R. (Sandy) Sherburne

From: Mary J Pidano Sherburne Email: marju46@yahoo.com
... My husband Gordon (Sandy) Sherburne passed away on August 15, 2024.
From Classmate Mary Pidano:

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January 29, 1946 - August 15, 2024

Gordon Roland Sherburne Jr. (known to most as Sandy), passed away at Winchester Hospital on August 15th at the age of 78. During a long brave struggle with Parkinson's disease, he developed complications that he was not able to recover from and was gone quickly. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 53 years, their daughter Katie and her husband Roger Hendrick, their son Dave and his wife Claire Lenth, and their daughter Lucy and her husband Colin Hanbury. He is also survived by his siblings: Albert, Robert, Heather, Walter, and Richard, as well as their spouses, his in-laws, many nieces and nephews, and three beloved granddaughters.

Sandy was a man of many names. Throughout his life he has been affectionately called Gordon, Sandy, Buzzy, Dad, Uncle Sandy, Gunky, Pop by his teenage granddaughter Abby and even Poopoo by his younger granddaughters Luna and Ayla. A man who is loved enough to have so many names, is a very special man, and Sandy was. 

Born in 1946, Sandy was the oldest of six children. He and his family shared many adventures as they moved several times during his childhood. Sandy graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, MA in 1964 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree at Boston State College. There, he began dating Mary who later became his wife in 1971.

Sandy received his master's degree at Northeastern University in 1970 and later became a teacher in the Waltham Public Schools. Although being a teacher was demanding and it was often difficult to navigate the politics of a big school, the part of the work Sandy delighted in was the relationships with his students. To teach them to remember his name he'd say, "It'll sure burn (Sherburne) me up if you forget my name!" Years later, one of his favorite memories to share was of running into a former student who told him having him as a teacher had been the brightest spot of her days. Sandy touched many lives as a teacher and will be remembered fondly.

After several years of teaching, Sandy decided to make a career change and began work at The Mitre Corporation as a technical writer/editor. While at Mitre, Sandy made many friends and always earned positive reviews for the work that he did. He continued working at Mitre until retiring in 2012.

Sandy enjoyed many leisure activities throughout his life. Always a nature lover, Sandy liked to geocache and go on hikes as often as possible. He even dragged his wife Mary up his favorite mountain, Mount Monadnock, in Troy, NH, a few times in their early years of dating (she hated every second of it but went whenever he asked). 

Sandy was a scholar of religion of all kinds. He loved to take a weekend trip to a local monastery for a peaceful retreat. He always enjoyed learning about and discussing different perspectives and beliefs.

Sandy was a lover of music. Be it classical music when he was in need of quiet contemplation or something more up tempo such as Elvis or John Prine, he enjoyed them all. When he was in his 50's, he decided to learn to play an instrument and fell in love with the banjo. Collecting several over the years, he began building yet another community of friends and like-minded people, going to "jams", grass roots music festivals, and "banjo camp" as often as he could.   

Most memorable is how much Sandy enjoyed even the little things in life. He loved his family, his friends, and his pets. Over the years, Sandy cared for about a dozen guinea pigs, and in recent years, reluctantly became housemates with a grumpy old cat. The two grew to love each other and could often be found sitting together enjoying a sunny afternoon nap. He enjoyed food, scrabble, writing, naps, science fiction, cowboy movies, books, and most of all laughing. He believed that laughter is the measure of the quality of time spent. His three children definitely inherited his dry wit and readiness to laugh. 

Sandy was a kind and thoughtful man who spent his life pursuing passions and loving the people around him. His presence and humor were felt whenever he was in the room, and they will be greatly missed but carried on in many ways by those lucky enough to have known him. A man with many names leaves behind many who will tell his stories and laugh about them with the people they love, exactly the way he'd want them to. 

A celebration of life will be planned for the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons's research at https://give.michaeljfox.org

https://devitofuneralhomes.com/tribute/gordon-sherburne-24-132/



 
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08/20/24 11:15 AM #1    

Charlotte Sullivan (Shepard)

Mary, 

I'm very sorry for your loss. Please extend Bob's and my condolences to your family.
Sincere sympathy,

Charlotte

 

 

 


08/20/24 01:20 PM #2    

Noni R. Berglund (Smith)

Dear Mary,

Sandy was such a sweet, kind friend.  I am so sorry for your loss.

Noni Smith


08/20/24 04:11 PM #3    

Doris A. Duggan

Dear Mary

So sorry for your loss.  Sandy was a dear man and I always thought you two were a perfect match. Praying for you and the family.  With love from Dodie


08/20/24 05:31 PM #4    

Patricia A. Shea (Scully)

Mary, sending you our love and sympathy.  -Pat and Peter Scully

 

 

 


08/20/24 08:36 PM #5    

Thomas J. Woodbury

Sandy was active in the Retired Men's Club of Arlington up until a couple of years ago. We often sat together and reminisced about AHS. He was good company. Sorry for your loss.

Tom Woodbury

 


08/21/24 06:54 AM #6    

Bonnie M. Lewis (Hayner)

Mary:   Again, I am so sorry.

From Park Ave Cong Church:

Hello PACC friends,

The church learned this week of the death of Gordon Roland Sherburne Jr. (known to most as Sandy) , a former PACC member. Sandy and his wife Mary, joined PACC in 2007. They were active at PACC for many years before his illness. Sandy was a deacon at PACC.

 

You can read Sandy's obituary here: https://devitofuneralhomes.com/tribute/gordon-sherburne-24-132/

Prayers of comfort to Mary and her family and prayers of gratitude for the life of Sandy and the love and joy he brought into the lives of those around him.

Blessings,

Christine Rochan, admin


08/21/24 08:46 PM #7    

Walter R. Smith

Mary,

I'm so sorry to hear of Sandy's passing.  I enjoyed catching up with you both at many AHS Reunions and always thought you were a perfectly matched, contented couple.  I will pass this sad news on to Carole (my first wife, 32 yrs) who was your roommate for a brief time in January '69 in a basement apartment on Mass. Ave., until a snow plow came through the living room window.  Spend as much time as you can in the warmth of your extended family to celebrate his love and spirit.  --> WALT


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