Christopher Rand Burns

CHRISTOPHER RAND BURNS, whose exuberant personality brought laughter and quirkiness to the lives of those who knew him, died July 14, 2011. He was born June 19, 1989, the son of Barrett and Patricia Burns and twin brother of Charles Parker. Chris grew up in San Francisco, CA., Phoenix, AZ., Bloomfield Hills, MI., and Greenwich, CT., and had the gift of making enduring friendships from these cities that last today. A 2008 graduate of The Woodhall School in Bethlehem, CT, he thrived and received the Roy Mattson Leadership Award. Woodhall was his second home; the faculty and staff his second family. Chris, known as Burnsy at Woodhall, loved acting, and received the 2008 Halo Award for "Best Comic Male Performer in a Play" for his portrayal of Charles Dabenow Schmendiman in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile". Thereafter, the character "Schmendy" would emerge unexpectedly during a family dinner or an ordinary phone call. He loved animals, and when at home would often be found buried in a pile of dogs, his hedgehog or rabbit. His interests also included swimming, in which he was state ranked in Michigan, lacrosse, scuba diving, soccer and contemplating ways to torment his siblings, who always got even. Chris is survived by his parents, Barrett and Patricia Burns; his twin brother, Charles Parker Burns; his sister and brother-in-law, Sara and Matt Davis; and his grandmother Lisa Rand. He is predeceased by his grandparents Gerhard Rand and Chester and Doris Burns. In lieu of flowers, donations in Chris' memory to The Woodhall School, Bethlehem, CT, would be gratefully appreciated. A memorial service and celebration of Chris' life will be held Friday, July 22 at 1 pm, Stanwich Congregational Church, 202 Taconic Road, Greenwich.