Perkinsville, VT – Roy Stanley Burton, 84, died Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Elm Wood Center in Claremont, NH, following a brief illness.

Roy was born on March 28, 1941, in Melrose, MA, a son of Charles and Ruth (Anderson) Burton. He graduated from Windsor High School in 1959 and studied forestry at the University of Vermont before transferring to the University of Maine at Orono, where he earned his bachelor's degree. After college, Roy began his forestry career in Raybrook, NY, working for New York State Conservation. In 1967, he accepted a position as a forester with the State of Vermont in Rutland, later transferring to the Springfield office. He eventually settled in Perkinsville.

Roy met Margaret (Kearney) Timko in 1981 when she came to apply for a firewood permit. They were married on December 1, 1983, and have made their home in Perkinsville ever since. Roy retired in 2003.

He enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family, especially kayaking and skiing. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved sharing his knowledge with others. A passionate archer, Roy won many archery tournaments over the years before turning his attention to teaching youth archery, where he found great joy in mentoring young enthusiasts. He was deeply committed to education and could always be found volunteering his time to help others learn, whether through archery instruction, forestry outreach, or local community programs. Roy also served as an adaptive instructor for kayaking and boating and was a volunteer EMT in Proctorsville, VT. A talented wood turner, he crafted bowls from the many burls he harvested in the woods.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Weslie Burton.

Roy is survived by his wife, Margaret Burton; his son, Daniel Burton of Maine; his daughter, Melissa Burgess of Bath, ME; grandchildren, Matthew Burton, Danielle Burton, Brian Burgess, Caleb Burgess, Oliver Timko, Audrey Timko, Avery Timko, Sebastian McGarry; two great grandchildren, Kovlyne and Holden Burton; three stepchildren, Justin Timko, Sunita Timko, and Samantha McGarry; and two sisters, Joyce Shepard of Lunenburg, VT, and Shirley Westney of South Pasadena, FL.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 20th 2025 at the Weathersfield Center Church in Weathersfield VT from 1-3pm followed by a tree planting ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife, GMCC Scholarship Fund, 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, VT 05620.