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 September 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 WWII on the USS Sapelo AO-11, a fleet replenishment ship, refueling Navy destroyers at sea. Following WWII, 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 inside. The house and woodlot sit on land that has been in the Alden family since 1755, and he had a deep connection with the property, regularly walking in the woods to Alden’s Pond and up onto the crest of Alden’s Hill.
John loved being out on the ocean. He built or restored several wooden boats, and enjoyed taking the family out for a sail around Casco Bay. A devoted member of First Parish Church of
Gorham, John was a member of the First Parish Church choir from the time he was in junior high school until he was in his nineties. He sang many beautiful solos with the choir.
There will be a private graveside service At Eastern Cemetery, Gorham.