Richard Burns

Richard R. Burns, 83 of Peabody and former Stoneham resident died in Peabody of February 12. He was born in Stoneham on March 6, 1932 and was the son of the late Lawrence W. and Katherine M. (Conway) Burns.

Mr. Burns was raised in Stoneham and was a legendary Stoneham High School Hockey Coach for many years before retiring that post in 1979. He was raised in Stoneham and was a graduate of Stoneham High School, Class of 1950. He was a standout hockey and baseball player. He went on to attend the University of No. Dakota and was a member of its hockey team. His college career was interrupted as he went on to service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Confict. Upon his return from the Navy he went on to graduate from Salem State College. He began his teaching career in the Reading Public Schools and while there he became the first Hockey Coach in the history of Reading High School. He later transferred to the Stoneham Public Schools and taught for many years at the Stoneham Middle School from where he retired. Following his retirement from Stoneham he served as Assistant Coach of Hockey at Philips Academy in Andover and also at Lexington High School. He is also a two time member of the Stoneham High School Hall of Fame for both hockey and baseball.

He is survived by his beloved wife Virginia A. (Hamilton) Burns. He was the loving father of Susan G. Marroni of Reading, Michael J. Burns of Melrose, Judith A. Turenne and her husband Paul of Lynn, Peter L. Burns and his wife Katherine of Wakefield and the late Richard R. Burns, Jr. and his surviving wife Suzanne of Billerica. He was the devoted "Bumpa" of Lindsey, Jennifer, Kiley, Mia, Felicia, Sam, Lauren, Shauna, Ryan, Ian, Matthew, Molly and Caroline. He was also the great "Bumpa" of Jack, Emma, Avery and Madison. He was predeceased by his brothers Russell and William Burns and his sisters Rita Saunders and Dorothy Fitzler.

His funeral will be held from the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home 322 Main St. Stoneham on Wednesday at 9am followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Patrick Church 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10:00. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-8pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mass General Hospital, Parkinson's Research, c/o Development Office 125 Nashua St. Boston, MA 02114.

February 16, 2016
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home
322 Main Street
Stoneham , MA 02180

February 17, 2016
10:00 AM

St. Patrick Church
71 Central Street
Stoneham , MA 02180