Ray Burton, who for four decades represented the North Country on the Executive Council and as a Grafton County commissioner, died early Tuesday morning at his home in Bath.
Sen. Jeff Woodburn, a Democrat from Dalton who interned for the councilor while in college, said Burton's death, “is the end of era. For nearly four decades, Ray Burton reined over the North Country like a combination benevolent king and parochial ward politician. He was a true original, larger-than-life personality and person of immense kindness, decency, optimism and humor. Ray loved life and that makes letting him go very hard, but he’s in a better place. In a sense, he has not died, he’s been redistricted and we can rest assured that he’s lobbying the good Lord to look north. God Bless Ray Burton and the North Country as we endure such an enormous loss.“
Gov. Maggie Hassan ordered flags to fly at half mast. In a statement, she said the Granite State had lost "one of the most dedicated, caring and unwavering public servants that the State of New Hampshire has ever known.
"For nearly 40 years, Ray Burton stood up and fought for the people and communities of the North Country with a passion that can never be matched.
For the people Ray represented, he was more than an Executive Councilor or County Commissioner – he was a member of the family. If a challenge or problem ever arose, you could call Ray Burton and he would do everything in his power to help. If a business, a student, a community leader was being honored, Ray Burton would be the first to applaud. If there was a parade, a pot luck dinner, a public meeting, you knew that Ray Burton would be there.
Even as his health prevented him from attending in person, Ray refused to miss Executive Council meetings, participating by phone without missing a beat or a vote. As much as any other person that I have ever known, Ray Burton understood the deep history and recognized the promising future of the Granite State. It has truly been an honor to serve by his side.
With his passing, a hole has been left in the hearts and souls of all Granite Staters, and Tom and I are deeply saddened by the loss our friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and all who have been touched by Ray Burton’s unsurpassed commitment to the people of New Hampshire. He will truly be missed."
From around the state, others who knew Burton shared their thoughts.
U.S Rep. Carol Shea-Porter: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Councilor Ray Burton. He was a dedicated public servant and an effective voice for the North Country. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and the people he loved and served so well for so long."
U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster: “With the passing of Ray Burton, New Hampshire has lost one of its finest public servants, kindest souls, and most steadfast leaders. For nearly four decades, Ray served his community and state with unmatched dedication, always putting the needs of those he served above all else. His compassion and commitment to the North Country and New Hampshire set a standard for service that will inspire generations to come.
There is no replacing Ray Burton, but Ray's memory will live on in the enormous good he did, in the countless lives he touched, and in the spirit of service he embodied. My thoughts and prayers, and those of so many across New Hampshire, are with Ray’s family, and with all those who were lucky enough to know him.”
U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte: "This is a sad day for New Hampshire. Councilor Burton’s passing marks the loss of a great New Hampshire statesman and a tireless champion for the North Country.
Ray saw public service as a calling and a true joy. He was a constant presence in the communities of his district, always eager to make a difference in the lives of his constituents.
At the Statehouse, Ray was an extraordinarily respected voice. He was always well-versed on the issues, knew the ins and outs of state government, and took every opportunity to stand up for the people of northern New Hampshire.
Ray’s commitment to improving the lives of his constituents truly raised the bar for public service in our state. Always quick to share wit and wisdom, he served with tremendous enthusiasm, remarkable diligence, and a deep and abiding love for the people of the North Country. Ray touched so many lives and he will be deeply missed.
I join citizens across New Hampshire in mourning Ray’s passing, and I extend my prayers and deepest sympathy to his family and many friends."
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: “I’m so sad about Ray’s passing. He was a great friend to me and to everyone in the North Country. Ray was an incredible advocate for the people of northern New Hampshire and his commitment to them will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with Ray’s family and friends.”
Executive Council Colin Van Ostern: Councilor Burton devoted his life to serving the people of our state, and it is an extraordinary and humbling legacy. Our great state and our beautiful North Country are stronger from his work and devotion, and he has left a model of service that will live on in the State House he served in for decades."
House Republican Leader Gene Chandler: "The passing of Councilor Ray Burton is a tremendous loss to the people of the North Country and to the entire Granite State, which he deeply loved. Having worked with Ray for many years, I know first hand his unwavering dedication to the people of his district and New Hampshire, which are better places because of his service. Ray exemplified what a politician should be and truly put the people he represented above politics. A hole has been left in the North Country that can never truly be filled. Ray is one who is simply irreplaceable, and he will be profoundly missed by all.”
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley: "I met Ray Burton during his first term on the council 36 years ago. I had the honor of getting to know him and working with him on many important issues. Throughout his long career serving District One his steadfast commitment, untiring dedication, and infectious enthusiasm for his job was on proud display each and every day. Every person in his district was treated with the utmost respect by Councilor Burton no matter their differences. His decades of service will remain a model for both young and old in New Hampshire looking to make a difference through public service. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and constituents in Council District One."
New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Horn: "[Burton] was a true public servant, a bipartisan leader and a tireless champion for the North Country. Ray's dedication to his job was legendary and it earned him the unwavering support and admiration of his constituents. For nearly forty years, he set the gold standard for public service in our state, and inspired generations of Granite Staters to give back to their communities and help others.
I am personally saddened by this loss. Ray was a good man, a steady mentor and an example of humility in service for all of us. I will never forget the lessons learned from him and the friendship we shared.
New Hampshire has lost a legend who can never be replaced. Our state is a better place as a result of Ray's service and accomplishments, and his memory will live on for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with Ray's family during this difficult time.
Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu: "I am truly sorry that New Hampshire has lost a great public servant and I am deeply saddened to have lost a good friend. Ray Burton spent nearly forty years working for the North Country, and his service stands as the model of what makes our state great. Ray was always there to serve his constituents and he never let them down.
Ray’s passing is an enormous loss for New Hampshire, and he will never be replaced. Nancy and I extend our sympathies to his family and ask all Granite Staters to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
State Senate President Chuck Morse: "The passing of Councilor Burton is a tremendous loss for the State of New Hampshire. As a public servant, educator, volunteer and friend, Ray was a larger-than-life figure whose contributions to our state could never be truly quantified.
He will always be remembered as a tireless and effective fighter for the people, places, and way of life that defined his beloved North Country. He recognized that serving his constituents was about more than garnering votes, it was about doing what he could to improve the lives of those who trusted him to serve. We take comfort in knowing his spirit will live on through those he helped, mentored, and inspired throughout his distinguished career.
Susan and I extend our prayers to Ray’s family and close friends at this difficult time and thank them for sharing him with us for so many years."
State Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley: "Councilor Burton epitomized public service in New Hampshire and his passing is a great loss to the state he served so well for so long.
During a lifetime of service, Ray fought relentlessly in support of the best interests of those he represented. He never allowed policymakers to lose site of the great people and unique places that make up the state’s North Country, and he worked every day to ensure their successes, and their challenges, were well understood.
As a mentor and a teacher, Ray sought to open the doors of government to anyone who wanted to join its ranks. Because of him, generations of leaders will continue to improve our state with the zeal for service that Councilor Burton displayed over his lifetime.”
New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli: “As the longest serving Executive Councilor, Ray Burton touched the lives of our members and so many of the men and women across our state. He was a dedicated public servant and a passionate advocate for his constituents and the state. His legacy lives on in the actions of current and future public servants that he inspired, empowered and educated. On behalf of the House, I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to Councilor Burton’s family, friends and constituents.”