Richard F. Burns

RICHARD F. BURNS Age 86. Beloved husband of the late Yvonne M. "Bonnie" (nee Booth) for 62 years. Loving dad of Richard (Maria), Linda (Robert, deceased) Burlingham, Karen Wiggins and Dave (Karen, deceased). Cherished grandpa of 5 and great grandpa of 1. Dear brother of Raymond (deceased) (Marjorie) and Patricia Prostak (deceased). Uncle and great uncle. Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 22nd, from 1-4 p.m. at the DAVID MARTENS & SON FUNERAL HOME 4175 ROCKY RIVER DRIVE (between Lorain & Puritas). Family would appreciate contributions to the Parkinson's Foundation.  Online condolences at davidmartensfh.com  216 941-1772

Rich Burns, after working a short time for the railroad, spent the rest of his life as a skilled tradesman.   His craft was that of a plasterer and is something he became a master of.  During his career he was able to successfully do virtually anything his craft demanded; which ranged from the mastery of new products to the recreation of old forgotten skills and techniques.  He had plastered dome ceilings and intricate cornice as well as recreating from old texts a 15th century method of creating faux marble.  He was a man with excellent hand-eye coordination which was not only important to his craft, but extended into many of his past-times.
 As a young man he enjoyed playing 3rd base in fast-pitch softball, then with age moved into playing pitcher and catcher with his humble church team in the slow-pitch leagues.  The Sts Philip and James men’s slow-pitch softball team became quite a shocking presence in many softball tournaments by defeating a number of semi-pro teams.  As the legs slow and the knees began to ache, Rich moved into other less mobile games like darting, which of course still required those excellent hand-eye coordination skills.  After spending most of his life using and depending on his excellent hand-eye coordination skills for both business and leisure, he was afflicted with Parkinson’s.  That affliction was a blow to his spirit and tarnished many of his golden years.
 Even with his Parkinson’s and a growing list of ailments, Rich was always there for his kids, grand-kids, and great grand-kids and never lost his love of a good party with friends and family.  As recently as several weeks before Christmas at a family Christmas party he wanted to be “wheeled” into the game room where those “kids” where shooting darts and playing pool all so he could be part of the action.  He was a man that worked hard, played hard, was a good provider for his family and never backed down from a confrontation.

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