Nelson Bay's first full time dentist Fred Burton has died at age 100.
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Dr Burton was a resident at Fingal Haven where he maintained an active social life and had previously lived at Joelene Crescent, Shoal Bay with late wide, Gloria.
Once a regular on the links at Nelson Bay Golf Club, in more recent years he enjoyed lawn bowls, crocquet and even snooker. Commodore of Port Stephens Yacht Club, he had only recently given away sailing.
The couple helped establish Nelson Bay Baptist Church, where Dr Burton played organ.
"He thoroughly enjoyed living in Nelson Bay," daughter Belinda Peachey said.
"Dad had this great wish to live indendently and he was able to do that. He lived his life every day."
The Examiner marked his 100th birthday, on January 21. His patients would gratefully give him boxes of vegetables and seafood.
“When I came here the children’s teeth were in poor condition,” Dr Burton said.
“They introduced fluoride [and] by the time I retired their teeth were very good.”
He also expressed gratitude to his dental assistant, Julie Monin, who came to his service serendipitously.
“I had a letter under the door from Julie who had just got her dental assistant’s certificate,” he said.
“She became invaluable.”
Dr Burton had served three years in the Australian Army’s Dental Corp rising to the rank of captain before his Nelson Bay days.
Born in Sydney, he had followed his father, Arthur, into dentistry.
Mrs Peachey said these experiences shaped the man, the family loved.
"The men who lived through the Depression and the war never complained," Mrs Peachey said.
The men who lived through the Depression and the war never complained... he was dignified.
- Belinda Peachey
"He was dignified."
Friends are welcome to attend a celebration of Mr Burton’s life at Nelson Bay Baptist Church, 2pm Tuesday.
