Ralph "Stacey" Burckes

Ralph "Stacey" Burckes, 92, of Cushing, ME passed away peacefully on May 15, 2015. He was born on January 23, 1923, in Lynn, MA to Ralph and Elizabeth (Holmes) Burckes. Stace graduated from Swampscott High School in Swampscott, MA. In 1940. He immediately enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a pilot during World War II. He was a member of the Air Force 837th Squadron, 487th Bomber Group. His B-24 was shot down on May 28, 1944, over Belgium where he was rescued and hidden by the resistance. Eventually being captured by the Germans, he remained a POW until his camp, Luft Stalag One, was liberated in May of 1945. Upon returning from the war, Stace married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Woodfin, on July 1, 1945, in Marblehead, MA. He then attended Middlebury College and Boston University where he graduated with a degree in physics. He later earned a master's degree from Clarkson College. Stace was a teacher for many years. His teaching career included Boston University, Kimball Union Academy, Shead High School, and Old Orchard Beach High School. Stace loved the water and was an avid sailor. While in Old Orchard Beach, he owned a charter boat out of Kennebunkport. He and his wife Phyllis then moved to the midcoast area where he was co-owner of the Saltwater Farm Campground in Cushing. He loved his many duties puttering around in the campground. Stace also volunteered at the Owls Head Transportation Museum where he enjoyed working on the airplanes. For many years he was involved with the VFW in Friendship. He and Phyllis loved to travel and were able to take many trips abroad. One of the trips that they both held dear was a trip to Belgium where he revisited many of the people involved in his rescue after his plane was shot down, and many of the sites where he was hiding with the Belgian Resistance before his capture. Stace was preceded in death by his loving wife, Phyllis, of 70 years and brother Jack. He is survived by his daughters Linda Jennings, Christine Burckes, granddaughters Stacey Souza and Randy Swormstedt.