Steve Burton 1952-2006

Steve Burton, 54, of Medford, MA, passed away Sunday, June 4 from kidney cancer. A passionate and accomplished runner, Steve gave his time and talent to the running community. For several years he coached the Somerville Road Runners, the Children's Hospital Marathon Team, and enthusiastically volunteered at numerous events. He had time for every runner who sought his advice, and gave freely of his knowledge to anyone who enjoyed or sought to enjoy the sport. Under his tutelage and largely because of his talents and his grace, the club and team flourished.

Steve's volunteer contributions to the local community included being co-director of several annual races benefiting the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Project Soup, and providing college scholarships to Somerville High School Track team members. One of these races, the Gobble Gobble Gobble Race on Thanksgiving, became so popular in the community that the city had to place a cap on the number of participants. Through these races and their sponsors and the thousands of runners, from near and far, who participated in them for more than a decade, tens of thousands of dollars were raised annually for the sponsored causes. After Steve stepped down as coach of the Somerville Road Runners for health reasons earlier this year, the Somerville Board of Alderman honored his years of service to the Community. When acknowledged for his enormous contributions to the community, Steve said: "I am only a small part of the bigger picture and proud to be a part of it."

Steve was also an exceptional runner. He participated in all the events of the United States Track and Field New England Championship Series for a number of years, earning the distinction by doing so of "Ironman". Steve placed as high as first in his age division at the New England Championship marathon and second in the half marathon . As was his wont, after earning such distinctions, his only remarks were to mention the names of even better runners who would have finished higher than him had they participated, and to applaud the accomplishments of others who he coached. He was also a veteran of 7 Boston Marathons. In addition to running, Steve had a great love and appreciation for music and photography.

He leaves his parents, Gordon and Elaine Burton of Nashua, NH; his sister, Susan Burton Wright of Dunstable, MA and his loving companion, Nancy Given of Somerville, MA.

Memorial donations in his name may be sent to "Miles for Miracles" at Children's Hospital, 1 Autumn Street, Box 731, Boston, MA 02215.

Fortitudine Vincimus (By endurance we conquer).