Joseph M. Burns

Joseph M. Burns
Virginia Beach - Cdr. Joseph Michael Burns, U.S. Navy, retired, passed away at home on February 3, 2012. Cdr. Burns was a native of Philadelphia, PA and was the son of the late John and Kathryn Burns. Cdr. Burns was a 1967 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a distinguished career as a Naval Aviator serving for over 23 years. Cdr. Burns held various positions that included as a P-3 pilot in VP-6 (Barbers Point, Hawaii) and VP-8 (Brunswick, Maine) and Executive Officer of US Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy. After retirement, Cdr. Burns established a long career as a Military Analyst in the Hampton Roads area. Cdr. Burns was a very active soccer enthusiast. He started on the United States Naval Academy Soccer team and was an integral part of the 1964 NCAA Championship team. He founded the Atlantic Soccer Club and coached travel soccer through Atlantic Soccer Club and later Virginia Rush Soccer Club for over 40 seasons where he influenced a countless number of youth in Virginia Beach helping to turn young boys into men. In addition, he diligently worked to tutor kids needing help, assisted boys to gain college acceptance and served as a father figure and friend to all. Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Linnea Mary Burns; four children, Joseph Michael Burns of Kansas City, Michael Patrick Burns and his wife Kyle of Virginia Beach, Patrick Joseph Burns and his wife Leah of Charleston, SC and Kelly Burns Knudsen and her husband David of Richmond, VA; two brothers James V. Burns of Quakertown, PA and John P. Burns of Reston, VA; two sisters Nancy Bullis of Arlington, TX and Kathleen Burns of San Diego, CA and the love of his life, his several grandsons. The family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. on Monday February 6, 2012 in H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel. A memorial Mass will be held be held on Tuesday February 7, 2012 at 4:00 P.M. in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, by the Rev. Robert J. Cole. Interment will be private with the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society or to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hdoliver.com.