DUXBURY, Mass. -- Industry veteran and innovator Peter H. Burnham passed away on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. He was 82 years old.
After beginning his career as a buyer for Filene's, Burnham owned Burton Carpet and Rug, providing bound area rugs across the U.S. for years. He also founded Central Oriental in the mid-1980s offering unique collections of hand-tufted, machine-made and hand-knotted rugs, which were first sold in New England and eventually on a national basis.
After many years of success and innovative creations, including the first collections of million point machine-woven rugs, Central Oriental became part of the Natco Products family in the early 1990s, where it remains to date. "Peter was a well-known and respected merchant, mentor and man. He will be greatly missed," said Mark Ferullo, executive vice president, Natco Home. Ferullo co-founded Central Oriental with Burnham in 1985.
Burnham is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Michael (Denise) of Pembroke and Scott (Wendy) of Marshfield; his significant other Kay Drake; his grandchildren, Zachary, Caelene, Joshua (Taylor), Austin and Kimberly; his great grandchildren, Charlotte and Caleb; and his brother Robert of Plymouth, and his nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the Pilgrim Church, 404 Washington St., Duxbury, Massachusetts, 02332.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Dr., Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, or to the Duxbury Interfaith Council, P. O. Box 1161, Duxbury, Massachusetts, 02331.