Donald F. Burns

OGDENSBURG- A Mass of Christian Burial for 1st Sgt (RET) Donald F. Burns, 89, of Ogdensburg, will be held on Friday, May 3rd,2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Rev. Joseph Morgan as celebrant.   Burial will follow the mass in Hillcrest Cemetery, Heuvelton.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 from 3-7 p.m. at the LaRue & Pitcher Funeral Home.   Mr. Burns died on Sunday, April 28th, 2019 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
 
 Arrangements are under the direction of LaRue & Pitcher Funeral Home.
 
 Donald F. Burns was born on August 21, 1929, in Ogdensburg, NY.  He was the son of the late Arthur and Lena (Matthews) Burns.  He was a graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy and attended Clarkson University.  Donald served in the United States Air Force from 1946 until 1948 and went on to serve in the United States Army Reserve for 28 years. On March 31, 1950, he married Barbara Paro at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg.   Donald worked as a chemist at Alcoa in Massena.  He was a member of the V.F.W., served as a major in the Civil Air Patrol, and was a member of the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee. He served in the St. Lawrence County Legislature for 6 years, was a member of the Maple City Prop Busters Model Airplane Club, and attained an Extra level license as an amateur radio operator (WA2FDJ).  He was a recipient of the Silas Wright Award and the honor society at Northwest Tech was named for him (the Donald F. Burns Chapter of the  National Technical Honor Society at Northwest Tech).
 
 He is survived by his wife Barbara J. Burns, his children; Darlene (Roger) Liscum of Heuvelton, Ceri (Robert) Dean of Fort Collins, CO, Vernon “Sam” (Celina) Burns of Ogdensburg, Cynthia Burns-McDonald of Ogdensburg, Collene (Donald) Alexander of Watertown, Donald (Janice) Burns II of Ogdensburg, Melody Burns (Vic Olivett) of Glenmont, NY, Stephanie Burns (Harold Teal) of Rensselaer, NY, Augustus (Joy) Burns of Lisbon, Dolly (Mike) Morley of Matthews, NC,  Andromeda (Adam) Anstett of Williamsville, NY and Sebastian (Jenny) Burns of Fort Ann, NY.  He is survived by his brother Arthur Burns of Dunkirk, NY.  Thirty-two grandchildren and thirty-four great-grandchildren also survive him.

 He was predeceased by his siblings Gerald, Janet and Jane and his parents, Arthur and Lena Burns.

Donations in Donald’s memory may be made to Hospice of St Lawrence Valley,The Ogdensburg Rescue Squad or to a charity of one’s choice.
 
 Online condolences may be made at www.LaRuePitcher.com.