Ernest was born in Biddeford on Aug. 15, 1931, to Merlin and Dorris (Manter) Burleigh. He grew up in Kennebunk, where he attended local schools, graduating from Kennebunk High School in 1949.
In 1950, he married Ruth A. Duprey; they shared 66 years of marriage and raised four children.
During his working life, Ernest was employed at several textile mills and auto dealerships before taking a job at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he was stayed for 34 years before his retirement.
Never one to sit idle, he then began working parttime for an independent contractor at the shipyard, and also operated his own small engine repair business out of his home, which he continued to do until he stopped working last year due to declining health.
Ernest was a talented musician who played numerous instruments. He was involved in several country bands, including Ernie and The Squires and The Saco Valley Countrymen.
He was a very active and outgoing man with many friends. He enjoyed taking many trips with his wife, traveling throughout the United States and Canada. When he was younger, he also enjoyed hunting.
Ernest was a hard-working man who took pride in providing for his family. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father, and will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Ernest was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Michaels.
He is survived by: his wife, Ruth Burleigh of Sanford; four children, Bob Burleigh and his wife Lorraine of Kennebunk, Richard Burleigh of Riverside, California, Randy Burleigh and his wife Joy of Wells Branch, and Doris Edenfield and her husband Darrell of Tifton, Georgia; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 15, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit blackfuneralhomes.com.
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