Dr. David E. Burns

Dr. David Edmund Burns, beloved husband, father, grandfather, physician, artist, and pillar of the Little Falls, New York community, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2025, at the age of 86 in Chatham, Massachusetts. Born on January 4, 1939, to Thomas and Louise (Desmond) Burns, David spent his formative years on the family's dairy farm in Little Falls, the middle child of five in a bustling household, where hard work, faith, perseverance, and lots of story-telling laid the foundation for the remarkable life that he would lead.

At the age of 18, David began adulthood as a dairy farmer, having taken over the family farm after his father died unexpectedly shortly after he graduated from high school. He ran the farm for the next seven years, and this experience deepened his connection to the land and his commitment to his family. At age 25, David enrolled as a full-time student at Utica College while also juggling the many responsibilities attendant in running a farm. He was drawn to the field of medicine, a goal that may have seemed unsurmountable, but one that David steadfastly pursued despite rejection, uncertainty, and sheer exhaustion. During this period, David met the love of his life, Marcia Ann Ness of Newark, New Jersey, who happened upon this farm boy while visiting the area with a friend. In a real life version of "Green Acres," David and Marcia married on August 10, 1968, just as he was beginning medical school in Albany, NY.

After residency, David returned to his beloved Little Falls to serve his community as a primary care physician. David approached this role with the same curiosity, compassion, and dedication that would become his "calling card" throughout his life. Much as he was a good weaver of tales, he was also an excellent listener, determined to discover and provide the best individualized care to each of the thousands of patients he attended to during the ten years of his practice.

David and Marcia grew their family with the births of David, Michael, and Marie. As a father, David instilled in his children the value of serving others, a love of the natural world, and a "can do" attitude involving everything from fixing the most broken-down of ramshackle equipment (ie. the "Hokey Pokey" leisure boat) as he did to overcoming unfavorable odds (admittedly, the typically honest David would occasionally resort to acts of skullduggery when it came to card games).

At age 50, David's path shifted once again after a heart attack shortened his medical career. With Marcia's encouragement, David discovered a love for art and, specifically, for painting. As his skill grew, David began to exhibit his watercolors (of both farm life and of the ocean) in galleries in both New England and in the Mohawk Valley. At the age of 71, David penned and self-published his memoir, "Take A Deep Breath," recounting his incredible journey from farmer to physician to artist, highlighting the faith, love, and determination that guided him.

Although home would always be Little Falls to David, he and Marcia built a supportive community after they moved to Chatham, Cape Cod in 2000. David became active in community outreach (including bring soup or "checking in" on neighbors), as a founding member of the West Chatham Association, and as a devout member of the Holy Redeemer Parish community, in whose embrace he found great comfort.

David leaves behind his adoring wife of 57 years, Marcia; his three children David (Mary Anne Morgan), Michael (Robyn) and Marie (Hart) Snyder; and five beloved grandchildren (Desmond, Cormac, Emma, Finley and Frances). David was a force of love and support for all, instilling in each member the importance of compassion, resilience, and creativity - peppered with a healthy dollop of mischief.

As we celebrate the life of David Edmund Burns, let us recall most of all his warm spirit and ability to connect with those around him. He will be remembered as a man who lived life with dignity, good humor, and grace. We are all better for having known him.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 5pm to 7pm at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, Blute Chapel, 678 Main Street, Harwich, MA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10am, at Holy Redeemer, 57 Highland Avenue, Chatham, MA. Burial will follow at People's Cemetery, 200 Stepping Stones Road, Chatham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made, in honor of Dr. David, to Catholic Charities.