Francis C. Burnham of Salem, 94, died peacefully at home on July 6, 2019.  Francis was born in Ipswich, May 9, 1925 and grew up in Essex, MA.

Married to Phoebe Lutts Burnham for 62 years, he was the son of Hervey and Elizabeth Burnham of Essex.  He leaves two sisters, Nancy Lutts of Salem and Ann Wendlandt of Oregon. He was predeceased by a brother, Everett Burnham of Essex.   Also surviving him are his son, Craig Burnham, and his wife Cynthia, of Salem; a daughter Amy Chevoor, and her husband Steven, of Peabody and four grandchildren, Abigail Burnham, Kyle Burnham, Benjamin Chevoor and Alicia Chevoor as well as his close personal aid Charmaine Freeman.

While serving in WWII as a communication technician repairing damaged field radios in Oahu, Hawaii, Francis developed a method for defeating troublesome jungle moisture by lightly coating repaired radios with anti-moisture spray of his own development.  He continuously developed new methods for improving what was needed.

Francis attended Northeastern University, followed by self-employment as a contractor.   He was employed with Sanders Associates in New Hampshire during the Vietnam War in the development of anti-submarine sonar technology.  For the last 30 years he was involved as a consultant for Burnham Associates, Inc., owned by his son Craig.

Constants throughout Francis's life were his curiosity, willingness to help those in need and his love of both children, nature and the mechanical world.   He will be missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 24th at 12:00 at Greenlawn Cemetery.