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John McBurney Obituary

MCBURNEY, JR, JOHN F. Professional baseball player, decorated WW II combat veteran, State Senator and trial attorney John McBurney, Jr, passed away June 8, 2015. He was 90. John played professional baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants at the AA level. He set an Interstate League record for home runs in one game (3), and was voted first team AAU All-American center fielder for Providence College. In WWII, John saw combat in France and Bavaria as an infantry scout with the 103rd Infantry Division. He was briefly taken prisoner by German forces in Alsace before escaping. Among other medals, he won the Legion of Honor (France's highest award) and the Bronze Star for valor. With the 103rd, he helped liberate the Landsberg extermination camp near Munich. He finished his service as military governor of Fulpmes, Austria. Before shipping overseas he was the 411th Battalion's welterweight boxing champion. John entered the RI Senate in 1958, representing Pawtucket for 16 years. He chaired the Judiciary and Health, Education and Welfare Committees, and introduced RI's Fair Housing Act in 1964, prevailing over entrenched business interests. He was a delegate to the 1960 and 1964 Democratic National Conventions. He founded McBurney Law Services in 1953. As a sole practitioner in the 1970s, he reportedly had more cases on RI's civil jury docket than any other attorney or firm. John graduated from Attleboro High School (1942), Providence College (1948) and Boston College Law School (1951). He attended Seminary School at Providence College before the War. He taught high school in Pawtucket, served as Pawtucket Assistant City Solicitor, and served 14 years as a Commissioner with the RI Board of Elections. He proudly maintained his electrical contractor's license all his life. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ann (Rivello) McBurney, five children: John McBurney, III, Esq. and his wife Cheryl; Michael McBurney and his wife Kathleen; Christine McBurney, Esq.; Dr. Cathleen McBurney-Saros and her husband Nicholas; and Mark McBurney, Esq., as well as 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was also the father of the late Kevin McBurney. The wake will be at Manning-Heffern Funeral Home, 68 Broadway, Pawtucket, on Thursday, June 11 from 4 to 8. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Church (formerly St. Joseph's), 195 Walcott St, Pawtucket, on Friday, June 12 at 10 am, followed by a full Military Honors burial in Mt St Mary's Cemetery. For online condolences please visit www.manningheffern.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider donating to the Philip Hulitar Home and Hospice Care Center, 1085 North Main Street, Providence.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Providence Journal from Jun. 10 to Jun. 11, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John McBurney

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JOSEPH NUGENT, Jr

June 26, 2015

I've just learned of the passing, after a long and useful life, of Senator John F. McBurney. I had not seen him in many years, but when we were presenting cases in the superior court houses throughout RI, when I saw him often, I would have been one of his biggest boosters and greatest admirers, as was my late father, former Att. Gen. J. Joseph Nugent, who was always very close to John McBurney, including their activie memberships in the RI Democratic Party.
After my father was involuntarily retired from electoral politics in 1966 and was forced to return to private practice, after an absence of nearly 10 years, he found very few of those he had blessed with his largesse while in office willing to reciprocate. Except, of course, for John McBurney, who sent him many criminal cases because, among other reasons, John always had enough cases for five lawyers. My father and my family never forgot his generosity.
My sincerest condolences to Christine and Sen. John III. May your father rest in peace, may Perpetual Light shine upon him, May he have Eternal Life.

Bill & Diane Coyle

June 16, 2015

Our deepest sympathy for your loss, Michael and Kathy, and the entire McBurney family. May he rest in peace.

Michelle Asermely - Rossi

June 16, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Fran Brown

June 12, 2015

John, Chris and the entire McBurney family,
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your father. His legacy will live on thru the family he and your Mom raised.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Franny Brown Jr.

Dorothy McCollough

June 12, 2015

My deepest condolences to the McBurney Family, Great people leave great memories and John has done that.I enjoyed his company as he graced the courthouse with his elegance. May you fine comfort knowing that his friends share in your loss. Prays to all.

Bill and Sandi Wunschel

June 11, 2015

Our deepest sympathy!

June 11, 2015

My prayers to the family of such a great person.

Michael Ricapito

June 11, 2015

Ann and Family

My deepest sympathy for your loss. I will always remember the early day's when it all began. May he rest in peace.

June 11, 2015

My thoughts go out to the McBurney's at this sad time. And with all due respect I want to thank John for all his guidance in the past, Jim McCaughey.

Arthur Parise

June 11, 2015

Cris and family...my sympathies to the McBurney family on the passing of Mr. McBurney. I regret that I am unable to offer my condolences in person. Arthur D. Parise Esq.

Jan Armstrong-Ruggiero

June 11, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with the McBurney family. Over the past 35 years, I have had the honor to work with John and many of his family members. May there be comfort in knowing he was a great man.

Patricia Joyce

June 10, 2015

Cris, John and Family,
So sorry to hear @ the loss of your father. Did not know he was a gifted athlete as well as a scholar and veteran! May his memory be a blessing.

Chip Hoyas

June 10, 2015

To Mrs. McBurney and the entire McBurney Clan: Few men have ever lived a life as full of successful personal achievements, a stellar record of honorable and selfless community service, a remarkable lifetime of giving to others in need, through his military service, an accomplished athlete, a legal career, a state senator, an election official, an adviser to many, a friend, a neighbor and a true gentleman as the original Senator McBurney. However, it is my belief that this great man, through all his success, that his greatest legacy will be the family that he and his wife began and still continues today to add to the McBurney success story of lawyers, magistrates, judges, doctors, electricians, federal, state and city officials, business leaders, teachers, prosecutors, jury commissioners, mothers, fathers, coaches, community leaders, just to name a few. Thank you Senator McBurney for a job well done. Soar with the Angels my friend. Your legacy will live on.

The Staff of Manning-Heffern Funeral Home

June 10, 2015

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Deb Allard

June 9, 2015

To The McBurney Family:

My sincere condolences - To my first boss, a man who taught me to stand up for myself, and gave me the confidence to become a "legal secretary" that brought me to a career that fulfilled my life - I so respect your entire family and thank you for letting me be a part of it for so long - so many laughs and some cries thru the years that truly made me become a better person - XOX

Thomas Bruzzese

June 9, 2015

Genesis 12:2-3

I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you. John was the consummate " Fine Catholic Gentlemen" A phrase that the Sisters of Mercy used when I was in grade school to describe a man of impeccable character. Early in my legal career I had the good fortune to try a number of Workers Compensation cases with John. I learned from him when I won, I learned even more from him when I lost. John was truly "blessed" and he was a "blessing" both to me and to many others. It was a sad day when I learned of his passing, because for me it represented the end of an era. It caused me to recall the other great trial lawyer who are now also enjoying their eternal reward, after first serving their Country so gallantly during WW II; and later also serving the State of Rhode Island by being outstanding members of our legal community, along with serving with distinction in our State Legislature. May his noble soul now rest in Peace.

Robert Di Pippo

June 9, 2015

To the McBurney family, on the passing of John:
He was truly, Sui generis - one of a kind, a class
act. My sympathy to you on your loss.. I was
privileged to have had acquaintance with him;
lucky are those who knew him.
Bob Di Pippo

June 9, 2015

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Joe Marciano

June 9, 2015

My sincerest sympathies to the McBurney Family on the passing of a great man. God bless him and his family.

Dennis McCarten

June 9, 2015

I had the pleasure of being John's opponent in many cases over many years. He was always a perfect gentleman and a skilled and colorful advocate. Rest in peace John.

Christine Sweeney

June 9, 2015

Dear John,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Classmate from St. Joseph's School Chris Sweeney

Mike and Elaine Wallor

June 9, 2015

A life well lived. Our sympathy.

Songle Family

June 9, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with the the entire McBurney family during this time of loss.

Stephen Nugent

June 9, 2015

Senator McBurney was the epitome of a great trial lawyer. He was always ready to try his cases, even after his law office burned down, ranging from murder to medical malpractice and everything in between to a jury with whom he established an immediate rapport which often resulted in very favorable verdicts. I witnessed this first hand in a murder case I prosecuted. Senator McBurney was always a gentleman and generous with his advice and counsel. The state of Rhode Island and its legal and legislative communities have lost a giant. May he rest in peace.

Frank N. Zaino

June 9, 2015

With deepest Sympathy to the entire MCBurney family.

Jim Healey

June 9, 2015

WOW ! As a lobbyist, I knew the Senator pretty well; but had no idea that this man's life was so fulfilled with selflessness and exciting heroism - IN SO MANY VENUES. My condolences to my friend Judge John and his family.
I won't forget this obituary for a while.

Linda Durocher

June 9, 2015

I worked with John when I was a WC Claims Adjuster for several years handling litigated claims with his office. Always professional and he will be missed. My sympathy to his family and friends.

Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results

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