William F. Burns

Cdr. William F. Burns, Jr., USNR-Ret., 65, of 171 Tuckerman Avenue Middletown, died of Mesothelioma on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at home.He was the husband of Anne Hickey Burns. Born in Boston, MA on December 3, 1938, he was the son of the late William F. and Mary Galvin Burns and the stepson of the late Mary Ward Burns. A graduate of Christopher Columbus High School in Boston, MA, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the Naval Post-Graduate School in Montery, CA, Mr. Burns earned his Master of Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island in 1981 as well as his Master Gardeners Certificate in 2000. Mr. Burns served 22 years in the Navy, retiring as a Commander. He participated in the Vietnam Conflict from 1972 to 1973. He was currently employed by the Raytheon Technical Support Company, working with the Trident Submarine Program at NUWC. As a member of the Middletown Conservation Commission for 23 years, he served several years as its Chairman. He also served on numerous Town boards and Committees including the 1992 2002 Comprehensive Plan updates and the 2003 Storm Water Management Plan. As a member of the Conservation Commission, he ran the Towns Annual Earth Day Cleanup and the International Coastal Beach Cleanup ?Get the Drift and Bag It? for 20 years at Second Beach. He was a volunteer with the New England Wild Flower Society, indentifiying RI endangered species for stability. In 2001 he was selected RI DEM Earth Day Environmentalist of the year and was presented the award by Senator Jack Reed. Mr. Burns was a member of St. Lucys faith community and a member of St. Lucy?s Small Christian Community, the Dandylions. Besides his wife of 40 years he is survived by five sons William Burns III of San Diego, CA, Christopher Burns of Rehoboth, MA, Kevin Burns of South Weymouth, MA, Timothy Burns of Charlestown, MA, and Brian Burns of Middletown, RI, his daughter Megan Burns of Middletown, RI, his brother Stephen Burns of Boston, MA, seven grandchildren Meghan, Emily, Liam, Kaylee, Caitlin, Brendan and Cara Rose Burns, an aunt and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late David Burns. His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2004, at 8:30 AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 AM in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.Donations in his memory may be made to the Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI 02842 or to the Eastons Point Association, PO Box 4468, Middletown, RI 02842.