Methuen, Ma – Walter V. “Buddy” Burns, Jr., 66, of Methuen, died Sunday, July 14, 2013 at his home. He was the beloved widower of Barbara A. (Audy) Burns.
Buddy was born in Methuen on November 14, 1946, the son of the late Walter V. Burns, Sr. and Claire (Currier) Burns. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1964 and received his bachelor’s degree from New Hampshire College. He worked for the Raytheon Company in Andover for 42 years until his retirement in 2012.
Buddy was member of the Elks Lodge in Lawrence. He was a Lawrence school committee member in the mid to late 1970’s. He also coached Methuen Youth Girl’s Softball and played softball for the British Club. In his free time, Buddy was an avid sports fan and loved the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
Buddy will be deeply missed by his four children, Kathleen Hothem and her husband, Scott, of Holliston, MA, Colleen Drago and her husband, Joseph, of Methuen, Jennifer Burns Ponte and her husband, James, of Methuen, and Michael Burns of Beverly, MA; three grandchildren, Zachary, Cassandra, and Tyler, his brother, Charles Burns and his wife, Beverly, of Wolfeboro, NH; several nieces and nephews; his dog, Brady; and his cat, Samantha. He is predeceased by his sister, Barbara Hevey.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Buddy’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the KENNETH H. POLLARD FUNERAL HOME, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen on Wednesday, July 17th from 2-4 and 6-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday at 9 AM at St. Lucy Parish in Methuen. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in North Andover. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested, in Buddy’s honor, memorial contributions be made to the Greater Lawrence Barbara Hevey Scholarship Fund. Contributions should be sent care of College Clue of Greater Lawrence, 202 Pleasant Street, Methuen, MA 01844.
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Burns family.