Burton Frederick Mead

Burton Frederick Mead, age 87, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with MDS and Leukemia, at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, Florida, with his loving family at his side. Burt (Burtie), or “Bronco” as he was affectionately known, was a one-of-a-kind, special person who never met a stranger and made countless friends with his special brand of humor, his widespread generosity and a helping hand for anyone in need.

A third-generation Zonian, Burt was born in Gorgas Hospital in Ancon, Canal Zone, on January 24, 1938, to parents Fred and Lillian Mead. He attended Ancon Elementary School, Balboa Junior High School and graduated from Balboa High School in the proud class of 1955. After graduation, he enrolled in the Canal Zone Junior College, where he played football; but after one semester, he joined the U.S. Navy and served two years of active duty at the Memphis Naval Air Station, Tennessee, where he was quick to point out that not one foreign adversary invaded the United States while he was on duty! Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to the Canal Zone to work for the Panama Canal Company, while at the same time, continuing his education at the Junior College as well as at the Canal Zone branch of Florida State University.

In August 1959, Burt married Gladys Miller, and they had two sons, Burton Frederick (Rick) Mead II and Keith Patrick Mead. In 1965, Burt took a leave of absence from his job and attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1966, his marriage to Gladys ended. With his college degree, Burt advanced through the ranks of the Canal’s Financial Management organization and was promoted to Chief, Systems Division, in 1986, a position he held until his retirement in 1995 after a distinguished career that spanned over 38 years.

In 1972, after a courtship that involved frequent travels to the Atlantic Side of the Isthmus by car and train, Burt married Carol (Morland) Corrigan whose father was Gilbert Morland, owner of C.B. Fenton Shipping Agency. Carol brought two young sons into the marriage, Gilbert and David Corrigan, thus creating a blended family of four very active boys who Burt and Carol raised with a steady and loving hand.

During his long career with the Panama Canal, Burt was involved in many community activities as a leader and organizer and was also very active in sports. He was an excellent golfer, with a low handicap, and an outstanding softball catcher and pitcher. While he was proud that he once pitched a no-hitter, he lamented the fact that he never made a hole-in-one, despite his exceptional golfing ability. He helped found a charitable organization called the Dollar Club; was a life member of the Balboa Elks Lodge, 1414; a member of the Panama Canal Society and the Panama Canal Museum; served as President of the Canal Zone Football Official’s Association, and was also an Official for many years in the youth and high school football programs.

Burt was in high demand as a Master of Ceremonies for retirement parties, dances and other special occasions, where his jokes, timely zings and one-liners kept the audience in stitches. He organized many local golf tournaments, including the very popular “Wally Trout Open” that entertained Isthmian golfers for 20 years; the highly acclaimed Panama Canal’s 75th Anniversary golf tournament; and the highlight of his community involvement, the Viceroy Amateur Invitational Golf Tournament held at the renowned Panama Golf Club, which he organized and for which he personally recruited golfers from Latin America and the United States to play. The tournament was well-received by the international golf community, and some of the amateur golfers Burt recruited later played on the PGA tour.

For his outstanding community service, the Governor of the Canal Zone awarded Burt the prestigious and highly regarded Honorary Public Service award on March 30, 1978, and the Master Key to the Locks of the Panama Canal with the title, “Master Planner,” on September 28, 1979.

When Burt and Carol retired from the Panama Canal Commission, they moved to Tallahassee, Florida where Burt continued his community involvement, running golf tournaments and serving on the boards of his homeowners' association and the Killearn Country Club. His love of Florida State Football brought him into frequent contact with renowned FSU coach, Bobby Bowden, who graciously signed his autograph on Burt’s kitchen door! For many years, Burt and Carol enjoyed many cruises, vacations and FSU football tailgates with family and friends, along with many family gatherings especially with their grandchildren, who he loved spending time with.

Burt is survived by his sons, Rick Mead, wife, Maria, daughter Brianna, son Dakota; and son Keith Mead, wife Cindy, son Chase (wife Megan), daughter Kelsey Gale (husband, C.J.), stepson, David Corrigan, wife Marcy, daughter Darien; stepdaughter-in-law Cher Corrigan, sons Gilbert and Drew; brothers-in-law, Robin and Peter Morland and Henry Mizrachi, sister-in-law, Ceci Mead, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lillian Mead; his loving wife and cherished companion of 52 years, Carol; his brother Ronald C. Mead and stepson, Gilbert Corrigan.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11AM on March 21, at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Donations may be made in Burt’s name to Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, Florida.