James Laurence Burns Jr.
James Laurence Burns, Jr., of Boston and Quechee, VT, passed away on Saturday, December 24th, 2011, at his home in Quechee. He was born on March 19, 1938 in Boston. He is the son of the late James Laurence Burns and Lillian (McColgan). He grew up in Dorchester and Braintree, MA. He is a Double Eagle, graduating from Boston College High School in 1955 and magna cum laude from Boston College in 1959 (Golden Eagle). Jim also received a degree from Williams College School of Banking. He served for 17 years in the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserves completing his service with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Jim worked in the Banking and Financial Industry, beginning his career at State Street Bank in Boston as Assistant Treasurer in the Investment Division. He then served for 40 years as the Executive Vice President of the Cooperative Central Bank of Massachusetts. He was the CEO, President and Founder of the Bank Investment Fund, a Boston based mutual fund. He was Chairman of the Board of the National Cooperative Bank based in Washington, D.C., New York City and Anchorage, Alaska. He served on the National Conference Board in New York City, London and Brussels. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Australian Government and the Australian Financial Services Industry. He retired in 2002. He served on the Board of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Boston and as Chairman of the Board of The Boston Conservatory. He leaves his beloved wife of 48 years Carol M. (Neely). They married in 1963 at St. Brendan’s in Dorchester and lived in Braintree and Pembroke before settling in Beacon Hill in 1986. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his loving family, daughters Corinne Kelly and her husband Jeffrey of Summit, NJ, Nancy Cunningham and her husband Jeffrey of Greensboro, NC, and Kathy Whitacre and her husband Michael of Oceanport, NJ, and his son Andrew J. Burns and his girlfriend, Stephanie Dabruzzi of Belmont, MA. He also leaves his cherished grandchildren Anthony Cunningham, Jillian Cunningham, Brendan Kelly, Brian Kelly and Jackson Whitacre and Chase Whitacre. He is also survived by his sister Anne Marie Hayes of Dennisport, MA and her family and his cousin and great friend Robert Hirtle of Harwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Thursday December 29 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friemds invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Wednesday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers donations in Jim’s memory may be made to a wounded veterans charity of one’s choice.
Guestbook Entries
Good bye dear friend and pal . We will miss you and the fun we had together . Rest in Peace. Love , pat and rod Vitty
Dear Carol, Corinne, Nancy, Kathy & Andy,
Jimmy was one of a kind and I’m so sorry you’ve lost him. But we all know how rough it’s been for him for quite a while and at last he’s at peace. He sure put up one Hell of a fight tho and I’m sure he and Tom
are having a great reunion. He will be greatly missed,
All my Love, Peggy
My heart goes out to the entire Burns family. Nancy, Kathy, Corinne, and Andy, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad! We had so many wonderful times with your family on Orchard Drive in Pembroke. I will always have fond memories of playing card games, having hot cocoa by the fire and having fun just being together, and I hope you’ll carry all of your own fond memories of your dad with you through the days ahead. With sympathy and loving thoughts, Wendy Jacobsen
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Carol and family. It’s been a great pleasure working for Jim and Carol for the past 10 years and getting to no the family as there housecleaning lady in Quechee. Jim, I’ll always remember our wonderful little chats inbetween working. You were a great man! I’ll miss you! Carol, you no I’am here for you anytime you need anything.
Thinking of you,
Tenley & family
I am so very sorry for your loss, Corinne I know how much your dad meant to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Lynn and Steve
Jim’s professional success was remarkable, however, more importantly, he was a man devoted to his family and his friends. Even in his most difficult times he expressed concern for the troubles of others and always had an encouraging word. Jim will be remembered and missed by many.
Carol, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. He fought a hard battle. Now he is at peace.
I also have very fond memories of your Dad and all the fun we used to have as kids in Pembroke! I’m so sorry for your loss and hopefully you can take some comfort in knowing that your Dad isn’t suffering anymore. I’d like to think that our Dads are catching up and having a good laugh and talking about “ole times”. With my deepest sympathy and condolences, Arlene Jacobsen Mossa and family
To the Burns family,
I worked with Jim at State Street Bank for a few short years back in the ’70s. I always remember him as a gentleman and just a fun-loving guy. Although I hadn’t seen him since then he would pop into my head every so often. I’m sure you all have greater fond memories than I have and I hope this will help you through this difficult time. God bless you all.-Sallee Spencer Emond