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Harry Burns Obituary
Age 63 unexpectedly on Friday February 13, 2009 son of the late Harry B. and Mary Jane (Bender) Burns II; survived by many friends and colleagues. Harry was a photographer and instructor at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh from 1974-1996. He was a graduate of North Allegheny High School and attended Youngstown State University in the 1970's. A gifted educator and artist, Harry showed a genuine concern for the thousands of students he taught and influenced. He had a unique and special take on life and many of us enjoyed his discussions, insights and debates. Ah, our lives are richer for knowing those like Harry who stepped out of the main stream and live life on their own terms. His legacy as a teacher, a mentor and a friend will live on in the hearts and minds of his students, friends and colleagues. Friends may call Sunday 2-5 at O'BRIEN'S 3724 California at Cooper Ave. N.S. where there will be a funeral service Monday, 10 a.m. Interment in Homewood Cemetery.
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Hal Gill
February 15, 2019
Can it really be a decade since I learned of Harry passing from the scene? Rarely do I fail to mention him when telling my stories of my life, since he played a pivotal role. As I ride a bus to Coast Guard HQ this morning, Im again reflecting on this friendship and how the ripple effects resound.
R. Alan Adams
March 18, 2009
Harry.. I have thought of you often ever since you left AIP. You were a great friend to me. You found the good in everything. Everytime I open my Beaumont Newhall Book that you gave me back in 94 I think of all of our discussions. You know a few months ago I was in oakland and out of the corner of my eye I saw a man alone walking with a beard and I thought... Harry.. just to turn and find that man gone. I know it was Harry.. I think that was Harry's way he would come in and out of your life and it seemed to be in a blink of an eye. Thanks Harry
Alan
Adam Hazlett
March 18, 2009
I often wondered how many miles that pedometer logged in Harry's lifetime... as a former AIP student of Harry's, I was enriched in my photographic experience as were many others i am sure... ever in my thoughts, forever in my heart...
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Pam Bice
February 26, 2009
It has been more than 17 years since I last spoke with Harry. I am sad to learn of his passing. Our lives shared a path for a while, then took different turns. I pray his life was happy and may his gentle soul rest in peace.
Hal Gill
February 25, 2009
It's with sadness that I hear of Harry's passing. If it weren't for long walks and conversations starting in the fall of 1997 and continuing until I left Pittsburgh for Denmark in the winter of 2000, I don't think my life would be where it is today.
He gave a lot of himself, quietly and in an unassuming way, but his impact was profound.
Joe Maher
February 23, 2009
I had been looking for Harry for quite sometime. I am saddened to find out he has passed away.
We had spent a lot of time together while he was a teacher at AIP, after he left AIP, and long after... He was a photo friend and teacher, photo safari companion and a wicked store front painter. (he painted my studio front in 2001) He was a friend to my parents and became friends to the people of Oil City while he visited me there. Heck, he was a friend to anyone that would walk by.
One of my fondest memories was a trip to Washington D.C. to view the Ansel Adams show. On the way home in my VW Beetle, 90+ degree heat not only did his shoe melt from the floor heater, we ran out of gas going up the mountain. Three Camera bags, a melted right shoe, and a mile walk up a VERY long hill to get gas. Then the walk back. All Harry said after it all was, "Well, that was interesting. Let's get a bite to eat. My treat. It is the least I can do for the entertainment you have shown me today!" And we ate clams from Howard Johnson's at the Breezwood exit.
He is missed by me and my family!
Robert Fenhagen
February 22, 2009
Harry was a wonderful friend these past few years and I will miss seeing him at the Amberson meeting on Saturday mornings. He was always ready to supply his part of an involved conversation about movies, life, or good walking shoes.
I will miss him alot.
Catherine Brunetti - Kelley
February 22, 2009
I remember most Harry's gentle way and smile. Harry was first one of my favorite customers at my video store, Classic Video. From those early rental encounters twenty years ago he remained a friend.
Always a walker he would just seem to stop by the store when I needed an uplift most. It was just as I was about to close my store that he popped in to say hello. He was a gigantic help to me as I daily boxed up my inventory for storage. Harry brought true joy to a mundane and emotional task.
When we finished the move-out we moved him into the second floor of my house. He told me many times how much he loved living here. I guess it is only right that I should have found him passed away here.
A prince of a man, I will always see those happy smiling eyes when he talked of movies, photography and the simple pleasures of life.
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