FRYEBURG — Bishop Robert Deeley will preside at a Memorial Mass for Deacon James Burns on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on 857 Main Street in Fryeburg. All are welcome to gather at the Mass.
Originally from Bronx, New York, Deacon Burns spent much of his life in that state before moving to Maine. Originally discerning to become a Marist Brother, he instead became an electrician, spending 43 years working for Arc Electric Corp and Forest Electric at the World Trade Center in New York City. He also served in the Air National Guard for six years.
He was ordained to the permanent diaconate on May 14, 1988, for the Archdiocese of New York and served at Sacred Heart Church in Munroe for 16 years. He and his wife, Clare, then moved to Maine where he served at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Although he retired from active ministry in 2019, he was a familiar presence at the church up until his passing on Nov. 29, 2021. A funeral Mass for Deacon Burns was held at Sacred Heart Church in Munroe on Dec. 6.
In addition to Clare, his wife of 55 years, Deacon Burns was survived by five sons and 12 grandchildren.