Salem - Lifelong Salem resident Jere Burns died peacefully at home on December 27, 2010 after a brief illness and having just spent Christmas surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. Jere was born on June 6, 1928 at his parents' home on Salem Common. His parents were Lucretia Perkins Burns and William Russell Burns. He married Abby Moffat in 1951.

Jere graduated from Salem High School in 1946. He was appointed to the US Naval Academy by Congressman William Bates and graduated from the Academy in 1950. An excerpt from his USNA yearbook read, "On June 11, 1946, Jeremiah put his skis away with a sigh, straddled a broom belonging to one of the Salem witches, and took off for the Maryland swampland. There he swapped his broom for a blue suit and slide rule.…The future seems to be drawing Jere into the mythical and lyrical wild blue yonder."

After his graduation from Annapolis, Jere joined the United States Air Force where he served from 1950-1954. Jere was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, where he piloted his F-84 through 43 missions. Jere's "right stuff" was evident not only in conflict but at other times of duress, such as his ejection from an F-84 Thunderjet that crashed during a test mission over Luke Air Force Base.

After his military service, Jere and Abby returned to Salem and Jere continued his passion for flying by becoming a commercial pilot for Trans World Airlines. Jere's service to others extended to his beloved home town, where he was past President of the Salem Athenaeum, the Chestnut Street Associates, the House of Seven Gables, and Hamilton Hall. He was also Treasurer of the Samaritan Society.

Jere's love of flying, intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and sense of adventure extended to his personal life. Jere and his family enjoyed extensive world travel together during his 30 years as a commercial pilot. As a private pilot during retirement Jere volunteered with the environmental organization Lighthawk. He loved sailing, skiing and playing tennis. He rarely missed playing street hockey every Sunday on Chestnut Street. He loved nothing better than a morning cruise to Misery Island on "Aunt Nan" or "Resolute" with Abby, his coffee and donut from Ziggy's.

Jere is survived by his wife of 59 years, Abby Moffat Burns, children Pamela B. Burns and her husband Edward S. Pliner of Madison, NH, Jennifer M. Burns of Sedona, AZ and Jeremiah Staniford Burns Jr. and his wife Susan E. Burns of Falmouth, Maine; grandchildren Zachary, Hannah, Jake, and Anna; brothers William Russell Burns Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Burns of Salem, Mass., and Henry J. Burns and his wife Andrea Burns of Norway, Maine; nieces and nephews and his faithful dog Daisy.

A service will be held at First Church Unitarian in Salem, Mass. on Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Samaritan Society of Salem in care of A. Busteed, 17 Orne Square, Salem, MA 01970, or Salem Sound Coastwatch, 201 Washington Street, Salem MA 01970. For further information contact Murphy's Funeral Home at 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com