Bruce J. Burrows, 85

Bruce Jesse Burrows, 85, passed away Dec. 17, 2025, after several months of declining health.

Bruce was born in Sandwich, on June 13, 1940, the seventh child of Nathaniel H. Burrows and Edrie H. Gordon. He was a direct descendant of Daniel Beede, first settler of Sandwich, and of William Seavey, a first settler of Rye. Bruce was proud of his Gordon ancestry.

He had an affection for Norwegian elkhounds and for the Kingston Trio. Golf was a passion later in life. Bruce attended Sandwich Central School and graduated Quimby School, class of 1960. He then served in Germany with the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1963. Bruce was an excited 5-year-old boy when his two big brothers, Charles, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, and Donald, a veteran of Saipan, returned home from World War II. So Bruce’s enlistment following the enlistments of brothers Robert "Bud" and Leslie in the 1950s established that all five Burrows brothers served their country.

Bruce grew up in the 1950s when Elvis was king and basketball games and Saturday night dances upstairs in the Town Hall created the social scene. Bruce fully participated. Those summer evenings were a time when cars, loaded with teenagers, headed for Sandwich Notch or Sandwich Beach.

Bruce grew up in a family where deer hunting was a necessity. When he gave up deer hunting, his life-long regard for guns turned to target shooting and collecting. Bruce then turned to riding around Sandwich hunting wildlife to take pictures with his camera.

After returning home from Army service, Bruce attended Belknap College. He also took classes at Plymouth State College. He worked for a time as a carpenter for Robert N. Peaslee and Joe Price. He also worked at Heath’s Hardware and Gerrity’s in Meredith. He worked for a time in Seabrook and at the Ridgewood Golf Course, also many years for the Sandwich Fair. He was proud to serve in law enforcement for the town of Sandwich, the state and Carroll County. He was a member of the Red Mountain Lodge, the Sandwich Conservation Commission and the National Rifle Association.

Bruce was very involved in his daughters’ activities while they were growing up. He served as a 4-H leader, D.C. leader of the Pemigewasset Pony Club, and coached Little League basketball, always giving his time to support and encourage young people.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents; brothers Charles, Donald, Robert "Bud" and Leslie; sisters Isabel and Pauline. He is survived by his daughters Amy and Rebecca (Andy); granddaughter Heather; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Burial will be at the family lot at Rural Cemetery in Center Sandwich, in May 2026.