ROSCOE R BURTCHELL

Roscoe Ray Burtchell, 82, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 at Cornerstone Hospice. His death was related to Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Ross was predeceased by: his wife and soul mate of over 56 years, Justine M. (Stoddard) Burtchell; his daughter Donna M. (Burtchell) Resner; his son Larry S. Burtchell. He is survived by: his daughter Mary K. Burtchell of The Villages, FL; daughter Dianne G. (Burtchell) Wood of Lady Lake, FL; son Roscoe R. Burtchell, Jr. of Red River, N.M.; son John A. Burtchell of Anderson County, TX; his favorite sister Marilou H. (Burtchell) Libby of Fort Fairfield, ME; numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who loved him very much.

Roscoe (Ross) was born a stone’s throw from Canada in Fort Fairfield, ME. He was the son of Elmira L. (Adams) and John A. Burtchell. As a boy, Ross walked to school early in order to light the fire that warmed the one-room school-room where his Mother taught. He also worked his family’s farm. At age 17, Ross joined the United States Air Force where he served as a flight navigator in Air Sea Rescue during the Korean War. After serving, he returned to Worcester where he attended Worcester Junior College for engineering.

In 1962, Ross became an entrepreneur when he founded Burtchell Machine and Tool in Worcester, MA. In 1964, he co-founded New England Diamond (N.E.D.) Corporation. As president he was in charge of the scouting, developing, and launching of the Elberton, GA facility; leading the trade shows and business expos. Ross was proud that he helped develop one of the largest privately-owned American diamond tool manufacturing plants. He was an innovator of the “high-pressure water-jet stone cutting technique.” In 1986, N.E.D. acquired TECC Corp in Irving, Texas, which Ross ran until he retired after more than 40 years devoted to his company.

Ross held offices and dedicated his time to several community organizations including: Toastmasters International; Kiwanis Club; City of Worcester Chamber of Commerce; and the Food Pantry of Tarrant County.

Ross spent his youth in Maine; moved to Massachusetts where they raised their family; spent many years in Texas expanding his business; and retired to sunny Florida.

Ross was a tech savvy octogenarian who loved his gadgets. He could bake a mean loaf of bread. His dry wit was a large part of his remarkable character. He was a kind, loving, generous man who has left an indelible mark on all who knew him.