Obituary of Harry L Burns

Harry L. Burns died December 7, 2016 in Belfast. He was born November 1, 1931 in Greenville, Maine to Fred W. Burns and Rachel W. Burns. He graduated from Greenville Consolidated High School and later completed several math and science courses at the University of Maine. He had many childhood Greenville friendships that continued for a lifetime. They played sports, fished, hunted and camped together and the group was known locally as “The Brady Gang”. Harry’s senior year his parents moved to Belfast and he joined them there after graduation. He went to work at the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad and joined the National Guard. He worked hard in the guard and attained the rank of Sgt. 1st.class before entering the Army in 1954. He took his training at Camp Chaffee Arkansas and then went to Fort Campbell in Kentucky where he joined the 11th Airborne Division and was a paratrooper instructor at the Academy there training new cadets. After leaving the service, he returned to Belfast, rejoined the National Guard and found employment with what later became Delta Chemical. Harry was a loyal worker and always felt fortunate that it was recognized over the course of his 38 ½ year career at Delta as he rose from production to management positions, retiring in 1993. Harry loved his neighborhood, the annual block parties at the Collins’ home and “Game Nights” at the Slaughter’s. He was a member of the first right-of-way committee in Belfast and along with Doug Thompson worked long hours researching property lines at the Belfast and Rockland Registry of Deeds resulting in seven right of ways that John Carver was able to record . He spent many years mowing the right of way on Allyn Street which was his pride and joy. Waterfall Arts marked the range-way with a large granite slab that he felt would always secure access to the bay for everyone. He enjoyed playing cards, going to the “Y”, watching the Red Sox and working puzzles. Grandsons, when walking with him would always return with several four-leaf clovers. As a child, Harry and his sister Evelyn managed to fill every page of the Bible with four-leaf clovers. Harry married Helen Greenlaw on September 23, 1956 in Belfast and recently celebrated their 60tAnniversary with their family. He is survived by his wife, Helen, his son Mark Burns of Belfast, his daughter, Michelle and husband Timothy Nickerson of Stockton Springs, Me. Three grandsons Ryan Nickerson of Corinna , Matthew Nickerson and wife Anne of Virginia, Joshua Nickerson and wife Kaymala of Lewiston, a special great granddaughter, Tegan Nickerson of Virginia. Harry was pre-deceased by his parents, two brothers Bill Burns and wife Delores, Bob Burns, sister, June B. Perry and husband Paul H. Perry. He is survived by a special sister, Evelyn Curry, a uncle Roland Warman , many nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of Harry’s life will be held in the spring.