Robert Patrick Burns Jr.

Robert Patrick Burns, Jr., age 61, of Hyde Park, passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 2026, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Born January 29, 1964, in Kingston, he was the son of Robert Burns Sr. and Betty Burns. His parents survive in Hyde Park.

Bob was a 1982 graduate of F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, and received a Bachelor's degree from Siena College and a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester. He worked for a time in the laboratory at the University of Rochester in T-Cell research, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Most recently, he was employed in the produce department at the Tops Friendly Market in Rhinebeck.

Robert enjoyed long-distance cycling across parts of the northeastern United States and Canada. He was also talented with computers and even built his own.

His faith was important to him, and he was a former parishioner of Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park.

On September 28, 1991 in Rochester, he married the former Patricia E. Thomas. She survives in Stafford, NY.

In addition to his wife and parents, survivors include his son, Liam L. Burns of Stafford, New York; sisters, Sharon E. Fusco and husband, Michael A., of Doylestown, PA, and Colleen M. Hayden and husband, Paul, of Indianapolis, IN; brother, Kevin P. Burns of Clemmons, NC; and nieces and nephews, Sam Fusco, Alex, Rachel, Sean, and Jenny Hayden, and Nora Burns.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral services and burial of Bob's ashes will take place at a later date to be determined.

In recognition of Bob's love of cycling, the Burns family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, 2445 M Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20037 (www.railstotrails.org).

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home, Hyde Park. To send an online condolence, please visit Bob's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.