Swampscott….

Rev. Dennis J. Burns, age 88 of Swampscott, Sr Priest in Residence of St. John the Evangelist Church, Swampscott, former pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Marblehead died early Tuesday morning in the Grosvenor Park Nursing Home, Salem.

Born and raised in Cambridge, the son of the late Dennis and Mary (Forde) Burns, Fr. Burns attended St. Peter's Grammar School and then at the age of 14 entered the Society of the Divine Liturgy (S.V.D) in Duxbury. Fr. Burns then continued his education receiving his B.A. in Philosophy from St. Mary Seminary, Techny, IL and then at St. John Seminary, Brighton, MA as well as completing his J.C.B., J.C.L., and J.C.D., at Catholic University, Washington, DC.

On May 3, 1950 he was ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston by Richard Cardinal Cushing.

During his extensive pastoral career, he served as a priest and pastor at many parishes in the Boston area, including St. Jude's in Waltham; St. John's in Roxbury; The Immaculate Conception in Marlboro; The Immaculate Conception in Weymouth; St. Mary's in Charlestown; St. Raphael's in Medford; Our Lady Star of the Sea in Marblehead and St. John the Evangelist in Swampscott.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Father Burns served as a canon law scholar, official and judge in the Marriage Tribunal of the Boston Archdiocese and was a Visiting Professor of Canon Law at Catholic University in Washington, DC in 1974.

He was also the beloved Chaplain of a generation of young women at Regis College in Weston.

Father Burns spent his life in service to the Church and to the hundreds of Massachusetts families to whom he was friend and spiritual guide. He was deeply patriotic and had an abiding respect and affection for veterans of the armed services. Every Memorial Day, Fr. Burns was honored to celebrate Mass for the local veterans. During the Town Observance of Memorial Day he had also served as both Chaplain and speaker on more than one occasion and had been recognized as the Memorial Day Parade Marshall.

He was an accomplished athlete, having played both football and baseball. He was also a lifelong Boston Red Sox Fan. Fr. Burns enjoyed spending time with his five nephews and teaching them about sports and the joys of long hours arguing about the great issues of the day. He is remembered as a wonderful uncle.

He is survived by a sister Gertrude Burns of Peabody, his brother-in-law Robert R. Everett of Mashpee, and his five nephews and their families: Robert F. Everett of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Robert's wife Jan Orcutt and children Ryan A. Everett, Brendan D. Everett and Morgan J Everett; Bruce M Everett of Washington, DC, Bruce's wife Kathy and children Matthew M. Everett and Meghan E. Everett; Douglas F. Everett of Belchertown, Massachusetts; Theodore J. Everett of Geneseo New York, Ted's wife Charlene and daughter Catherine M.G. Everett, and Michael B. Everett-Patriquin of Yarmouth, Massachusetts and Michael's wife Mary.

He was predeceased by three sisters Helen Burns Everett, Catherine V. Burns, and Mary C. Burns.

An avid reader, Fr. Burns was often found on the porch of his rectory in the afternoon enjoying a cigar while enjoying a good book. He always welcomed a visit and good conversation with his parishioners, friends and fellow priests.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 174 Humphrey St., Swampscott. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Fr. Burns will lay in State at St. John the Evangelist Church, 174 Humphrey St., Swampscott on Friday from 4:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. Interment will be in Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead. Father Burns requested contributions in lieu of flowers to The Reverend Clyde Chetwynde Permanent Endowment Fund, St. John the Evangelist Church, Swampscott. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.