Eugene Morley "Gene" Burns

Eugene Morley "Gene" Burns

AGE: 72 • San Francisco, Ca

Eugene Morley "Gene" Burns, Beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and Legendary talk radio personality. Gene Burns died peacefully Saturday, May 25th, in San Francisco, CA after a series of heath issues. Burns was 72. Known for his incredible wit, poignant introspection, and a powerful voice, Gene possessed the ability to command a room, and earned the respect and love of fans nationwide.

Gene was born in New Brunswick, NJ, and raised in Hornell, NY. In his early 20s, he was hired as news director for radio station WWHG in his hometown of Hornell, New York before moving on to WSBA in York, PA. He began his career as talk radio host at WCBM in Baltimore in the mid-1960s. While there, Burns did two major international assignments, going to Vietnam in 1968 and the Middle East in 1969.

Following a brief stint with WEEI in Boston, Gene served as both a host and program director at WKIS-AM in Orlando, Florida, beginning in 1971. He would remain there until 1981, when he departed for WCAU in Philadelphia. He returned to Orlando and WKIS in the early 80's and was named the station's operations manager in 1984. Gene possessed a renowned political mind, and ran for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination in 1984. Later in life, he re-registered as a Democrat in 2008. In 1985, he returned to Boston, hosting a talk show on WRKO. In 1993, he moved to New York City and began hosting a nationally syndicated talk program from the studios of WOR.

In 1995, he began broadcasting for KGO 810 AM in San Francisco. Bay Area listeners perhaps knew him best from his eponymous weeknight program on politics and social commentary - " The Gene Burns Program" or "the issues of the day" - as he called it - and his Saturday show "Dining Around with Gene Burns", which focused on wine and food in what Burns called the "epicenter of American gastronomy." He was ranked among the top 25 radio talk show hosts of all-time by Talkers Magazine.

To Gene, family always came first. Those close to him knew that he was a star and that they had to share him. Gene was never happier, or more truly himself, than when he was sitting around the dinner table with family and friends reminiscing about family reunions, trips, and re-telling past and present tales. After his Father's death, Gene fiercely assumed the role of Patriarch in the Burns Family, a role that included organizing family gatherings, providing support both physical and emotional, and even officiating his niece's wedding on his last trip to Orlando in 2011.

When you went to a restaurant with Gene, he was just another person at the table albeit an extremely informed one. However, if he liked the experience, his positive comments on his program would be a "shot in the arm" for that establishment. A return visit would present itself with long lines at the door and gratitude from the owners.

Gene is predeceased by his parents Robert and Gladys Burns, and his brother Thomas. He is survived by his siblings, Margaret, Dennis, David, and Roberta Burns Riggsbee; a sister-in-law, Mary Sue Holcomb Burns, a brother-in-law, Farris Riggsbee; two nieces, Brittney Riggsbee (Michael) Delancett, Charisse Burns (Adam) Bitner, and two nephews, Matthew Riggsbee, and Cameron Burns.

He is also predeceased by many beloved Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He is survived by his Aunt Claire Burns D'Alonzo and her husband David of Milltown. Also by his cousins, Paul & Gerri Strawinski, Joe Schilling , John F. "Jackie" Burns, Diane Johnson, Claire Conlon, David & Patti D'Alonzo, Bob & Mary D'Alonzo, Jim & Debbie D'Alonzo and their families.

A celebration of Gene's life will take place 10 am, Saturday, June 8th, at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando, 1901 E. Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32803. Those who desire may make a contribution to their favorite charity in Gene's memory.