John Burns, 1944-2008

[KathieK]

John was one of my favorite people in FIRST. Whenever we were at an event together or at one of Rosie's pasta dinners, John would come up and say, "Kathie, come here. Let me introduce you to someone..." John knew EVERYONE! And then he would show me the latest article that had appeared in the local paper about Rosie. John had an Irishman's temper... and an Irishman's twinkle in his eye. He loved to tell stories. He not only was there for his team, but for everyone in FIRST. A week before my FTC event I called him up. "John, I need flags again this year. I forgot about them! " It didn't matter that he was trying to get his FTC team up to speed for the scrimmage the following day, or that it was a few days before FRC robots shipped, all he said was, "How many do you need?" Last year, at John's "retirement" party, I learned that he was a dumpster diver. He gave me a paper he had written on dumpster diving which I used in several NEMO workshops this past fall. I got great ideas for scavenging materials from John! Although he stepped down as team leader of Rosie, he decided to form an FTC team at the middle school and his grandson, Seamus, is a member this year. And because he couldn't give up helping the kids in Agawam, he ran for school board this fall - and won. I staffed a FIRST booth at the recent Natl Science Teachers Assoc convention in Boston and John brought his FTC middle school team to demo. After they finished, John let them loose in the Exhibit Hall and they came back with all sorts of fun stuff including hermit crabs, caterpillars, posters, diodes... and he just shook his head and smiled. He knew those kids would remember going to the NSTA convention for a long time.
And it was really, really very special for me to be in Boston when Rosie won their Chairman's Award. I know they made him very proud. Thank you, John. We'll miss you a lot. Every time I see a big straw I will think of you!

[Mike Martus]

Condolences from Team 47 and the Community of FIRST.

[Scott Carpman]

My condolences on behalf of myself and 1155.

[JohnBoucher]

John was truly a gentleman.

Our thoughts are with his family and teams.

[Protronie]

Truly sad news... my heart and prayers go out to John and his family, team, & friends.

-p

[Amanda Morrison]

Dana,

I'm shocked, just shocked to hear this. Best wishes to you, the rest of the team, and John's family during this time.

[Dancin103]

Condolences from my self and team 103. We are very sorry for your loss. From the way it sounds John was a great man that was very loved. My he rest in peace, and may the memory of him never die.

[Gene Williams]

With a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat...condolences from Team 70.

[EStokely]

I did not know John, but I am a part of FIRST and losses like this are hard on all of us. I am truly saddened by this.
With condolences from Team 360 may his memory and inspiration continue.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by KathieK

John was one of my favorite people in FIRST. Whenever we were at an event together or at one of Rosie's pasta dinners, John would come up and say, "Kathie, come here. Let me introduce you to someone..." John knew EVERYONE! And then he would show me the latest article that had appeared in the local paper about Rosie. John had an Irishman's temper... and an Irishman's twinkle in his eye. He loved to tell stories. He not only was there for his team, but for everyone in FIRST. A week before my FTC event I called him up. "John, I need flags again this year. I forgot about them! " It didn't matter that he was trying to get his FTC team up to speed for the scrimmage the following day, or that it was a few days before FRC robots shipped, all he said was, "How many do you need?" Last year, at John's "retirement" party, I learned that he was a dumpster diver. He gave me a paper he had written on dumpster diving which I used in several NEMO workshops this past fall. I got great ideas for scavenging materials from John! Although he stepped down as team leader of Rosie, he decided to form an FTC team at the middle school and his grandson, Seamus, is a member this year. And because he couldn't give up helping the kids in Agawam, he ran for school board this fall - and won. I staffed a FIRST booth at the recent Natl Science Teachers Assoc convention in Boston and John brought his FTC middle school team to demo. After they finished, John let them loose in the Exhibit Hall and they came back with all sorts of fun stuff including hermit crabs, caterpillars, posters, diodes... and he just shook his head and smiled. He knew those kids would remember going to the NSTA convention for a long time.
And it was really, really very special for me to be in Boston when Rosie won their Chairman's Award. I know they made him very proud. Thank you, John. We'll miss you a lot. Every time I see a big straw I will think of you!

Sounds like a great guy, who did a lot for the community. I wish I had met him. I couldn't imagine this happening to any of the mentors of 1766. It would be like losing a family member.

[Bob Steele]

Our thoughts and prayers are with your robotics family and John's family in this.
We look forward to playing with you on Galileo and we wish you the best of luck there. Your loss is FIRST's loss.

Robert Steele
Skunkworks Robotics

[rosiegirl]

Mr. John Burns was one of the best men I have ever met. In the Short three years that I knew him, he toght me many things i never would have ever thought I would learn. He also supported anything any of the Rosie students wanted to try; no matter how crazy it might sound.

He will be missed greatly on team 839. May you rest in peace Mr. Burns.

[Barry Bonzack]

I HATE Cancer! I'll think of John with others at my next Relay for Life event. My prayers go to his friends and family.

[GaryVoshol]

Condolences and prayers on behalf of Team 1025.

I didn't know John, and from reading here it sounds like that was my loss. He surely will be missed, both on your team and in the larger FIRST community.

[psyco_klown]

On behalf of John's family and Rosie, we thank you all for your kind words. We keep him in our hearts and continue what he believed in.