Roy Bernard (Ret.) Burns
July 15, 1934 — December 21, 2017
Maj. (Ret.) Roy Bernard Burns, 83, of Columbus, GA died Thursday, December 21, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital.
A Roman Catholic Mass will be held 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA 31907 with Father Jeremiah McCarthy officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Benning Main Post Cemetery. A rosary will be said 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907 with visitation to follow until 8:00 PM.
Maj. Burns was born July 15, 1934 in Providence, RI, the son of the late James and Nora Salisbury Burns. Roy was a high school graduate of La Salle Academy and a 1956 graduate of Providence College in Providence, RI, also later receiving his Master's degrees from Georgia State University and Troy University. He was a husband and the father of 5 children. He retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Army Infantry. Roy served another 20 years as a Department of the Army Civilian in the Director of Combat Development and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate. Maj. Burns served 2 combat tours in Vietnam earning 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Unit award. Maj. Burns also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB); the Air Medal, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge.
Roy was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Military Officers Association, National Infantry Association, and numerous other organizations.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Virginia Anne Fusco Burns of Columbus, GA and his sister, Claire Nobrega of Greenville, RI.
Survivors include his second wife, Betty Matthews Burns of Columbus, GA, children, LTC (Ret.) Jay Burns of Fayetteville, GA, Kelly Harford (Joe) of Dacula, GA, Kimberly Alito (Dave) of Acworth, GA, Kristine Braxton (Brad) of Midland, GA and Patrick Burns (Melissa) of Kennesaw, GA, stepson, Garth Snider (Donna) of Marietta, GA, sisters, Mary Connole (Bob) of Greenville, RI and Patricia McCarthy of Narragansett, RI. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne-Pacelli Scholarship Fund or to the MOAA Scholarship.
3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
2000 Kay Circle
Columbus, GA, 31901
A Roman Catholic Mass will be held 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA 31907 with Father Jeremiah McCarthy officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Benning Main Post Cemetery. A rosary will be said 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907 with visitation to follow until 8:00 PM.
Maj. Burns was born July 15, 1934 in Providence, RI, the son of the late James and Nora Salisbury Burns. Roy was a high school graduate of La Salle Academy and a 1956 graduate of Providence College in Providence, RI, also later receiving his Master's degrees from Georgia State University and Troy University. He was a husband and the father of 5 children. He retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Army Infantry. Roy served another 20 years as a Department of the Army Civilian in the Director of Combat Development and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate. Maj. Burns served 2 combat tours in Vietnam earning 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Unit award. Maj. Burns also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB); the Air Medal, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge.
Roy was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Military Officers Association, National Infantry Association, and numerous other organizations.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Virginia Anne Fusco Burns of Columbus, GA and his sister, Claire Nobrega of Greenville, RI.
Survivors include his second wife, Betty Matthews Burns of Columbus, GA, children, LTC (Ret.) Jay Burns of Fayetteville, GA, Kelly Harford (Joe) of Dacula, GA, Kimberly Alito (Dave) of Acworth, GA, Kristine Braxton (Brad) of Midland, GA and Patrick Burns (Melissa) of Kennesaw, GA, stepson, Garth Snider (Donna) of Marietta, GA, sisters, Mary Connole (Bob) of Greenville, RI and Patricia McCarthy of Narragansett, RI. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne-Pacelli Scholarship Fund or to the MOAA Scholarship.
Rosary
DEC 26. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EST)
McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
Mass
DEC 27. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EST)
St. Anne Catholic Church2000 Kay Circle
Columbus, GA, 31901
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