James Thomas Burns, 77 of Newmarket, N.H. and former longtime Haverhill resident passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Nov.19.
He was born in Lawrence, Sept. 22, 1937, son of the late Harold J. and Margaret (Doherty) Burns. After graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1955, Burns served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1961 on the Minesweeper USS Inflict, attaining the rank of Radar Electronics Technician. For more than 25 years he was employed as a manager at Honeywell, and Digital Equipment Corporation from where he retired more than 20 years ago. After his retirement he and his wife, Mary Ann, resided in St. Cloud, Fl for 20 years. While there he owned a convenience store, catering business and courier business. He returned to N.H. to be close to his children and grandchildren in 2009. An avid photographer and videographer, Burns enjoyed filming family outings and also was a devoted genealogist.
His survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Ann (Spero) Burns of Newmarket, N.H., two sons, Craig J. Burns and his wife Doreen K. of Windham, N.H., David T. Burns of Newmarket, N.H., two daughters, Kelly C. Dawson and her husband Christopher of Brentwood, N.H., Kristine A. Bean and her husband Cecil W. of Newfields, NH, two brothers, Joseph Burns and his wife Bette of Plum Island, Patrick Burns of Dunedin, Fla., 16 grandchildren all of whom he adored individually, a cousin, Ginger Anderson and her husband Jim of Utah, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Burns was the father of the late Kimberly J. Burns who died in 1968 and brother of the late Jack Burns, Veronica Clark and Frederick Burns.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his calling hours on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday morning, Nov. 24, at 10 in St. John The Baptist Church, Lincoln Ave., Haverhill. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in memory of James Burns to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, attn: Donor Services, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline MA, 02445-7295 or online www.Dana-Farber.org.