Obituary: John Francis Burns, 86, of Fairfield

From Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home

John Francis Burns, 86, of Fairfield, the beloved husband of Sally (Hydis) Burns for over 60 years, passed away on Monday, March 5, 2018 following a brief illness. He was born in Waterbury to the late John and Mary Ellen (Lowney) Burns and was a Fairfield resident since 1965. He was graduate of Sacred Heart High School of Waterbury where he excelled in baseball. At 18, Jack caught an exhibition baseball game for the Cincinnati Reds before an injury ended any thoughts of playing professional baseball. In 1954, he earned a BA in economics from Fairfield University, where he played varsity baseball.

Following college, Jack served honorably in the U.S. Army. He went back to school and earned a degree in electrical engineering. He worked at AMF, Sikorsky's, Perkin Elmer, and Norden System during his career. While at Norden, he worked directly with the U.S. Navy and was responsible for the radar in the A-6 Intruder. He enjoyed playing baseball, traveling, spending time with his grandchildren and cheering on the NY Yankees and UCONN Women's Basketball.

Jack was an avid competitive high-power target shooter where he was classified a master. On many weekends, he could be found with his buddy Mo at Blue Trail, Quantico Marine Base, Cumberland and Camp Perry competing. His daughter, Sandy, followed in his footsteps and competed with her dad and his son, Tom, could be found working at the matches pulling targets and scoring. Jack was an usher at St. Pius X Church and a longtime member of the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield. He was a devoted family man and was always willing to lend a helping hand to all.

In addition to his adored and devoted wife, Jack is survived by his loving children, Thomas Burns and his wife Lori of Fairfield and Sandra Librandi and her husband Christopher of Milford. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Danielle Librandi of Royal Oak, MI, Paige and Alexandra Librandi of Milford as well as Jack Burns of Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Burns.

Friends are invited to greet his family on Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Rd. in Fairfield Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. directly at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.

Jack’s family would like to thank the entire staff at the Veteran’s Hospital in West Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or via www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home here.