Burton Wakeman Taylor Jr.

CUNDY’S HARBOR – “Burr” Taylor died Sept. 19, 2026 at home in Cundy’s Harbor.

Born in Syracuse, N.Y., Burr grew up in Maine, started a family in Long Island, N.Y. and then happily moved back full-time to Harpswell. Burr was best known by his family for his blueberry pancakes and devil’s advocacy in all matters – sometimes more devilish, sometimes more advocate.

Burton Wakeman Taylor, Jr. was born April 8, 1939 to Claire May and Burton Wakeman Taylor. He attended school in Brunswick, worked at Skillins Boatyard on Orr’s Island, and set up some lobster traps for his parents’ dinners. He attended Deerfield Academy for high school where he joined the swim team yet pined for Maine. In short order, he attended Wesleyan University, married Frances Miller, volunteered for the draft and was honorably discharged from the Army, finished his BA and MAT and settled in Brookhaven, N.Y. In 1985, Burr married his longtime partner, Carol Duron.

In New York, Burr taught Social Studies and served as a representative for the teachers’ union at Middle Island School District. He became treasurer and general fixer/ problem solver for various justice-seeking, try-a-different-way organizations including Bay Community School, Bay Food Co-op, and South Country Peace Group. Each summer he sailed Downeast with Carol and they gardened and readied his parents’ cottage for four- season living.

Once a Maine resident again, Burr worked part-time at St. John’s School in Brunswick. He jumped into countless local organizations, working to understand the intricacies of state and local laws and regulations to best support and advocate for the preservation of the Maine waterfront and communities he loved and respected deeply. Among the organizations he volunteered with were: Harpswell Islands School and Harpswell Historical Society, Curtis Library, Beacon Schools Project, and Midcoast Hunger Prevention. He was on many local boards, including MidCoast Literacy Volunteers, and the Harpswell Harbor and Waterfront Committee, Heritage Land Trust, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Historical Society, Budget Advisory Committee, Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee and Cundy’s Harbor Fire Department.

Burr is survived by his wife, Carol Duron Taylor; children Brenda, Sam, and Amy; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at http://www.FuneralAlternatives.net.

A private service will be held Summer of 2027.

To commemorate Burr, make a donation to the Cundy’s Harbor Fire Department, question authority and yourself, do a chore for someone else, consider others’ opinions.

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