Timothy Burnell Obituary

Timothy L Burnell, son of Deacon Garry and Arletha (LaValley) Burnell, was born on November 2, 1956 in Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Timothy went missing during a fishing trip at Dan Hole Pond (despite being named a pond it is classified as a lake) in Ossipee New Hampshire on April 10, 1981. Although there were numerous search attempts and dives by the NH State Police and their dive team, Timothy was never found.
He is survived by his mother; a brother, Walter (Patti) Burnell; two sisters, Geri (John) Vanier and Lynn (Robert) Gadway; and several nieces and nephews. During the time he was missing he was predeceased by a brother, Richard (Julie) Burnell. Tim graduated from St. Bernard's Catholic School and attended college in Gardner MA. He was employed by Martin Brower Company. Fishing and family were Tim's passion.
Never giving up hope he would be found, his parents remained hopeful when New Hampshire State Police requested a DNA sample in December 2022 almost 42 years later. Being a cold case, it was a long process to determine and receive the results. Finally on November 7, 2023 it was confirmed that the remains that had been found more than a year prior to the DNA testing belonged to Tim. Just five days after receiving the results, Tim's father passed away on November 12, 2023.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Constable on May 18th at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in St Mary's Cemetery, Brushton.