John F. Burns Jr.

AMESBURY — John F. Burns Jr. left this world unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009.

Born on March 5, 1958, he grew to be a man of exceptional character, charisma and kindness. He already is missed. John graduated from Amesbury High School in 1976. He expounded his academic studies at Northern Essex Community College, Essex Aggie and Gordon College. While John did well in the academic atmosphere, where he truly and easily excelled was in the realm of life. Where some of us only see the mundane in a moment of reality, John saw opportunities to improve someone's day, someone's life, increase the comfort of whomever seemed to be the societal outsider, or the incredible but simple chance to stir a smile.

John sought to inspire people, and succeeded with his superhuman feats. At the tender age of 18 he was told he would never walk again, assisted or not. Within a year, with the aid of braces, he was an usher in his sister Andrea's wedding. Three years later, he climbed Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. In 1990, he climbed Pike's Peak in Colorado. His hopes in meeting these physical challenges were not for personal glory, but to raise awareness for the spinal cord injured. It were these goals that motivated John to keep progressing. John had a gift with children as well as adults. In his lifetime, he emboldened countless young people to overcome barriers that seemed insurmountable. He volunteered his time with the emotionally and physically struggling youth of Nantucket Island. He also worked with and mentored the youth of Amesbury, both in the school system and on the rink. One of his loves was hockey, and his number is worn today by an Amesbury varsity player, Jacob Burns - his brother Christopher's son.

John left this world to go on to another place, where he is free and runs in the sun beside his father, John F. Burns Sr. He is sadly missed by his mother, Blanche P. Burns, his siblings Thomas, Andrea, Christopher, Paula, Lisa, Melinda, Seanda, Rebecca, Melissa and their spouses, David Smith, Beth Burns, Jimmy Palmieri, Michael Cook, Trevor Smith, Daniel Bartlett and Jeremy Leffert-Burns. The nieces and nephews he left behind will keep his memory alive; Johnna and Chris Holland; Michaela Smith, Nicholas Smith, Dacey Burns, John Burns, Jacob Burns, James and Lisa Palmieri, Caitlynne Palmieri, Christopher Palmieri, Elizabeth Palmieri, Mackenzie Cook, Spencer Cook, Keegan Bartlett, Callaghan Bartlett, Cameron Bartlett, Alexandra Smith, Emma Smith. Maddisen Lauren Palmieri, born just recently, is John's great-niece who, along with baby Holland, will be told many, many stories of their Great Uncle's adventures.

ARRANGEMENTS: John's family invites you to join them at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church in Amesbury this Saturday, Jan. 17, for his memorial Mass. Following the Mass, a reception will be held by his mother Mrs. Blanche P. Burns at St. Joseph's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, John's family has requested donations be made in memory of John to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. Arrangements are by the E.V. Jutras & Sons Funeral Home in Amesbury.