Obituary of James E. Burns

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. _ James E. Burns, 71, of Wethersfield, Conn., formerly of Bovina Center, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2011, in Hartford, Conn. He was born Sept. 26, 1939, in Delhi, the son of James L. and Helen (Bower) Burns. He married Karen Stratton, she predeceased him in 1996. On May 12, 2001, he married Edith Bryden and her children became part of his family also. A graduate of South Kortright Central School, Class of 1958, and the State University College in Delhi in 1961. James was a Civil Engineer working for D.O.T. in Connecticut for nine years and then owned and operated Busch Engineering in Wethersfield, Conn., until his retirement in 2007. A farmer at heart he loved hunting, was an avid reader and loved to bowl. He is survived by his wife, Edith, Wethersfield, Conn.; his children, Sheryl Rutledge, Cromwell, Conn., Bryan Burns, East Hampton, Conn., Erin Suggs, Chenango Forks, William Burns, Cromwell, Conn., and Jason Burns. He is also survived by his mother, Helen M. Burns, Bovina Center; his sister, Bette (Richard) Aikens, Oneonta; a brother, Thomas W. (Joan) Burns, Bovina; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his father; and his first wife. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2011, in the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, with Judi Gage, CLP officiating. Burial will follow the service in Bovina Cemetery, Bovina Center. A memorial service will be held in Connecticut at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Lung Association. Online condolences may be sent to www.macarthurfh.com.