Burton Spencer Francis III passed away this past Thursday,April 13, 2017 in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Fort Myers Beach, FL. A resident of both Hinsdale, MA and Estero, FL, Burt was born in Pittsfield, MA on April 18, 1954 to Burton S. Francis Jr. and Violet “Terry” Ramsvick Francis. Burt attended several elementary schools and graduated from Taconic High School in 1972. He also graduated from Berkshire Community College and attended North Adams State College.
Upon graduation from high school, Burt worked for Marland Mold, and in 1987 started his own mold making company, Starbase Technologies. An innovative entrepreneur, Burt’s vision, tenacity and insatiable appetite for accomplishment enabled him to grow his three man shop to over eighty employees at one time. Currently under Burt’s direction, Starbase is a flourishing manufacturing company.
His love of his company was only surpassed by the love for his family. He leaves his beloved wife of over thirty-five years, Roberta Cardell Francis of Pittsfield, his lovely daughter Audrey Kendig, her husband Dan, and their two sons, Lloyd and Silas, his son Burton Spencer Francis IV, his wife Kristen, and their son Burton Spencer Francis V, and his son Erik Kaare Francis. He also leaves his dear sisters, Karen Tohen, and her sons; Joshua, Zachary, and Jared, his other sister Deborah Francis, her daughters Dona and Emily, and his nephew Kaare. He is predeceased by his brother Kaare Francis and his parents.
Burt’s lust for life and exuberance in all that he touched and with whomever he met was infectious. His favorite saying was that he was “living the life.” He lived each day to its fullest, embracing every person he met as if he were their best friend, and relished in every activity with joy and vigor. He loved his home in the Berkshires where he made cider from his apple and fruit orchard, honey from his bees, and was constantly playing on his tractors. He often exclaimed he was “living in paradise” in his homes in Florida and out on his boats fishing on the Estero River. He was known for his larger than life personality knowing that all things were possible, living every second of his life on his own terms, each moment as if it were his last.
“Ya baby! What’s shakin’ bacon?…out there makin’ it happen.”


FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours for Burton S. Francis III who passed away April 13, 2017 will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 12 to 3 PM at the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dalton. A Prayer Service will follow at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, please do as Burt would wish and pay it forward to your favorite cause or charity in care of the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 Main St. Dalton, MA 01226. To share a memory or condolence with the family please visit www.deryfuneralhome.com
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