John Burnham Alden GORHAM – John Burnham Alden passed away on June 13, 2024, in Gorham, Maine, at the age of 101, a great loss for everyone who knew him. He was born in Gorham on Sept. 19, 1922, son of Austin Albert Alden, and Grace Burnham Alden.
He graduated from Gorham High School in 1940; and was a graduate of Gorham State Teachers College (USM), and Maine Maritime Academy. He joined the Navy in 1942, as a Navy ensign; and served in WW II on the USS Sapelo AO-11, a fleet replenishment ship, refueling Navy destroyers at sea. Following WW II, he served 23 years in the Naval Reserve and retired as a Commander.
John married the love of his life Shirley Berry on August 24, 1946, at First Parish Church, Gorham. They were classmates at Gorham High School, Class of 1940, and both worked as teachers early in their marriage, Shirley was a Home Economics teacher in Gorham, and John taught Industrial Arts in Windham. John worked at several teaching and engineering jobs, before retiring and joining his father as a cabinetmaker.
The beautiful, authentic period pieces built by John were collected throughout New England. John and Shirley had four children, Deborah Ann (Alden) Loveitt, Susan Priscilla (Alden) Murray, John Gardner Alden, and Heather Louise Alden-Paredes. He leaves behind nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great- grandchildren.
John built their beautiful house with wood from the family woodlot, and he crafted nearly all the furniture .
