His Irish eyes were smiling as he lost his battle with cancer; Tom found peace on October 15, 2012 at the age of 88 surrounded by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary Scannell Burns, and several family members. He was born April 23, 1924 in Chicago and moved to Arizona in 2008. An avid White Sox fan, Tom loved attending spring training games. The Arizona Cardinals (formerly the Chicago Cardinals) was his favorite football team. Tom served bravely & proudly in what was then the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Dr. Tom Dooley assembly of the Knights of Columbus for 60 years. He was a devoted husband and father of seven children; Kathy (Rich) Lee, Tom, Jr. (Mary Ellen), Bob, Larry (Janet), Chuck (Sandi), John (Laurie) and Jim (Lisa). He will be greatly missed by his 15 Grandchildren, and 14 Great-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant granddaughter Kelly Ann Burns, and his sister and dearest friend, Marie Burns Dunne. Tom was extremely fond of and close to his niece and nephews; Jack Dunne (Joan), Tom (Jeanne), Jim (Mary Jo), Patricia (John) Moran, and special friend Claudia. Visitation will be held at Brophy College Preparatory Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix at 11:30am on Saturday, October 20, 2012 with a Funeral Mass to follow at 12:30pm. Inurnment will take place on Wednesday, October 24, at 2:30pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Tom’s transition was greatly eased by the dedicated and caring staff from Hospice of the Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Abbie
I love you and will miss you Grandpa.
Victoria Cowan
Sending all our love and prayers to you during this difficult time. May the many happy memories of a life well lived give you strength and ease your pain. To know him was to love him – he will be sorely missed!
Justin, Kristy, Jarret, & Abigail Rutherford
We are sorry for your loss. Our love and prayers are with you and your family. We pray God will give you peace during this time. May your heart be filled with wonderful memories and precious times you shared together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Diane Valencia
My prayers are with your family during this time. Our God has shared his son with you and now he has taken him home. We have our memories of the ones we love and they will never be forgotten. Mr. Burns will always be in your hearts.
God Bless your whole family.
Norm and Mary Maier
Our prayers are with the family. Tom was a special man.
Claudia Lee Lowthian
I’m thanking God that Tom’s pain and suffering is finally gone and I’m imaginging he’s up in heaven right now, doing an Irish jig! But at the same time I’m so sorry for your loss. I know Tom will be dealy missed by all his family and friend and I am praying your grief will soon be replaced by memories of the many happy days you shared.
The Four Score and More Club
The Four Score and More Club in The Villages, Florida, is forever grateful for his help and assistance with our club. He was a great asset to our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family .