Burton Sr. Obituary (1909 - 2005)

BANGOR - Burton Martin Tobey Sr. died on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at home in Bangor. He was in the company of his friends and caregivers, Robert and Carolyn Burke. Burton was born in Augusta on April 10, 1909, the son of Frederick Baxter Tobey and Mary Martin Tobey. He graduated in 1927 from Cony High School, where he was a member of the Cony High Senior Play, and won a prize as a representative of Cony High School in speaking contests held at the University of Maine and Colby College. Burton and his late wife, Iola, were members of Green Street United Methodist Church in Augusta and attended Grace United Methodist Church in Bangor. Burton was employed in the job-printing department of the Daily Kennebec Journal in Augusta for 27 years. In 1953, he moved to Bangor, where he worked as a compositor printer for the Bangor Daily News for 21 years. He retired in 1974. He was a charter member of the Maine Graphic Arts Association in Augusta and a member of the International Brotherhood of Typo Writers. Burton was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Iola Emery Tobey; and a brother, Richard J. Tobey of Gardiner, in 1996. He is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Iola Preble and her husband, Waldo, of Raymond; a son, Burton Martin Tobey and his wife, Jacqueline, of Tampa, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Deborah Lynn Drew, Judith Ellen Harrison, Pamela Jane Cole, Lori Ann Deschaine, Jeffrey David Preble, Sherryl Ann Tobey and Martin James Tobey, and their spouses and partners; and 17 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Visiting will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A graveside service will be held in Mount Hope Cemetery, Augusta, in the spring. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to: Green Street United Methodist Church, 13 Green St., Augusta 04330; or to: Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St., Bangor 04401.