Technical Sgt. Rothwell Joseph "Rocky" Burnham, USAF (ret.), 78, of Navarre, FL, formerly of Manchester, NH and Woburn, MA, died at his home Sunday, February 9, 2020. He was in the company of his loving wife of 17 years, Colette (Carignan) Burnham at the time of his death.

Born October 11, 1941 in Cambridge, MA, he was the son of Arthur and Gertrude (Amerault) Burnham. He was raised in Woburn, MA and was a graduate of Woburn Memorial High School's class of 1960. A career US Air Force Security Forces Supervisor, Rothwell's service spanned two decades and included nine years of overseas service. His military awards included: the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, US Air Force Security Forces Badge and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

While serving in the Air Force, Rothwell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Following military retirement, Rothwell served with the US Postal Service for an additional 20 years of federal service. In his retirement years, Rothwell enjoyed reading, fishing and visiting grandchildren. He was an avid New England sports fan and a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. He passionately supported causes in support of disabled veterans and family members of killed or missing in action service members.

He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur Burnham; mother, Gertrude; brother, Leonard "Lenny" Burnham, all of Woburn, MA and his former wife of 33 years, Alice (Rollins) Burnham of Manchester, NH.

Along with his wife Colette of Navarre, FL he leaves behind three children and four stepchildren, Richard Burnham (Tansin) of Auburn, NH, Sharon Burnham (Carlos Guevarra) of Fleming Island, FL, Robert Burnham (Heidi) of Manchester, NH, Curtis Page (Joanne) of Manchester, NH, Martin Page (Kayla) of Concord, NH, Dennis Page of Hollis, NH, and Susan LaFauci (Peter) of Manchester, NH; his brother, Arthur Burnham (Frances) of Oakland, ME; parents-in-law, Gerard Carignan (Gisele) of Goffstown, NH; as well as 10 grandchildren, Jake and Carley Burnham, Alex and Ava Guevarra, Siobhain, Amanda, Conner, Spencer, Ethan, and Dylan Page. He looked forward to the birth of another grandchild in the spring.

Funeral cortege will depart 11:00am from Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola, FL for a graveside service to begin at 11:30am Friday, March 6, 2020 at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Barrington, NH at a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Tech. Sgt. Rothwell J. Burnham, USAF (ret.) to Disabled American Veterans charity: https://www.dav.org/