James "Jim" Burns

Our dear James "Jim" Burns died on Monday, August 4, 2025, peacefully and gracefully, with his son Devin Burns Horzempa and his wife Frances "Frannie" Horzempa at his side. Jim died from complications of pancreatic cancer.

Jim was born in Newark, NJ on June 3, 1953. His parents eventually moved to Middletown, New Jersey and then to Edison, New Jersey. Jim was the oldest of 6 boys. Jim graduated JP Stevens High School and then went on to Seton Hall University. It was here where Jim met his friendship group of a lifetime and his dearest and most beloved partner and wife, Frannie.

Jim was a thinker, a reader of books, a historian, an expert in beat literature, a Buddhist, a philosopher, a feminist and a political activist. Jim was also a poet who wrote about his deepest thoughts and his observations of the world around him. He put together a few books of his poetry, which we now have as treasures to remember him by. Jim believed strongly in peace, social and economic justice and in creating a world where everyone had basic health care, enough to eat and a decent place to live. With this moral compass, he never wavered.

Jim met Frannie at a rally for presidential candidate George McGovern in Jersey City, NJ, on October 31, 1972 and from there they joined together in a lifetime of love, friendship, adventure, political activism, and joy. Jim and Fran moved to Sommerville, MA, where they became actively involved in anti-nuke work and shutting down the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. It was here where Jim met his next group of beloved friends; Rick, Barb and Bruce and Mariposa.

In 1984, Jim and Fran moved to Oakland, California, to continue their life of adventure. Jim loved the mountains and deserts of California, the weather, the people, the place. In 1988, his dear son Devin was born and thus started the next chapter of Jim's life, the chapter of fatherhood. Jim absolutely adored Devin. He took Devin on his first "walk" when he was 3 days old, spent hours soothing him when he cried and spent many sleepless nights caring for him. As Devin's childhood bloomed, Jim spent hours building Legos with Devin, playing with GI Joes, exposing him to the world of books and history and with Fran, taking Devin on many wonderful trips and adventures.

In 2000, Jim and Fran moved back to the East coast to be closer to Jim's mom and for Jim to enroll at the University of Delaware and earn his Master's degree in English. Since 2003, Jim worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware, teaching freshman English classes and writing/Honor's classes to upperclassmen at UD. Jim loved teaching and research and gave his all to provide the best educational experience to his students. Over the years, he received many thank you cards and letters from former students.

In December 2023, Jim left his position at UD and in March, 2024, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. From this time forward, life changed. Jim took his diagnosis in stride, doing whatever was asked of him to get better. He suffered through chemotherapy, radiation, two bouts of delirium and septic shock, which ultimately took his life. Jim was never angry or depressed about his diagnosis. He did express to his dear wife how sorry he was that they would never have the retirement life that they had anticipated. Jim was sweet, kind, patient and forgiving. He was the best father, husband and friend that anyone can ask for. After Devin, Fran and his sister-in-law Lee, Jim's heart was full with the support of Fran's friends and family and their friends together. The constant text messages, visits, cards, phone calls and emails, kept Jim and Fran going and for that they are most appreciative.

We have many, many people to thank for helping us through this journey, but a special word of appreciation for John and Maryanne, who flew out from the west coast to spend a week with Jim in May; Bill and Dolores, who included us on their trip to the east coast last year and to Paul, for being with us for Jim's first chemo and subsequent chemotherapy sessions. That was a life saver. And finally, a gigantic thanks to my dear sister Lee and our son Devin for their never-ending support and love. We appreciated so much of what everyone did for us. Thank you.

And finally, to end with one of Jim's poems:

long nights

many were his

long days

under the lights of heaven.

but many more

were his long nights,

till the

banshee wail of sunrise

tore open the sky

to set him free.

Jim Burns

3/22/79

Namaste.