Gael Michael Burns, 81, of North Ave. passed away on Friday, June 22 in Metrowest Hospital, Natick.
Gael is survived by his loving wife Roberta with whom he shared fifty-six wonderful years of marriage; his children: Mary-Carol Waters of Westwood, MA, Robert Burns and his wife Christine of Brentwood, N.H. and Ralph Burns and his wife Jennifer Sorenti of Sagamore Beach, MA; his grandchildren: Amy Rose, Brendon, Matthew, Alexander, Sean, Elias and Abbey; and his sister Nancy Burns Lane.
Gael was born in Brighton to the late Robert John Burns and Marguerite (Drennan) Burns. He is also predeceased by nine siblings.
Gael graduated high school from Our Lady’s/Newton Catholic High School in Newton, MA in 1954 and from Boston College earning a Bachelors’ Degree in English in 1958. He worked as a commercial artist and graphic designer, with works featured in Business Week, Fortune and Forbes magazines. He was internationally recognized as one of four artists to be awarded with works appearing in Graphis International.
Gael enjoyed biking, drawing, watching the Red Sox and Bruins, reading, writing, woodworking, spending time with his family and enjoying the view from his favorite chair in Square Pond, Maine. Gael was also a gifted wordsmith, thanks to his intellectual curiosity and sagacious command of the English language.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, June 26th at 10:00 A.M. in St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish, 35 S. Main Street, Sherborn, MA 01770. All are invited for fellowship with the family following the Mass at Dolphin Seafood, 12 Washington Street, Natick, MA 01760. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gael’s name be made to: Natick Service Council, Inc., 2 Webster St., Natick, MA 01760.
The family has entrusted John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick, MA 01760 with funeral arrangements.