Ralph Burns

Ralph Burns of 6421 Waterburg Rd., Trumansburg passed away at the Reconstruction Home on Sunday, May 11, 2003 at the age of 83.
Born on February 26, 1920 in the village of Trumansburg, N.Y., Ralph was a son of the late George Burns and Mary Ann Burns.

As a young man Ralph worked on the farm with his father and during the depression years he worked for the government in building the overlook at Taughannock State Falls Park. Most of his life's work was with Trumansburg Central School District. He drove bus and worked as a custodian, then was quickly promoted to Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. He retired from the Trumansburg Central School District in the late 70's. After his retirement he worked at the Trumansburg golf course as a grounds-keeper for several years.
He had a great love for the outdoors (farming, gardening, hunting, fishing, etc.). Ralph was also a sports enthusiast having played baseball for the Ithaca and Trumansburg teams until he was 45 years old. Watching the TV was another way for Ralph to keep up with the various sports events that he enjoyed.
A genuine people person, Ralph was always ready for a good laugh with family, friends and co-workers. His warm presence will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved Ralph.
In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by 3 brothers, John, George, and James Burns and a daughter Mary Myra.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife Ruth (Jones) Burns of 56 years, their children and spouses, William R. Burns of Tampa, Florida, Jeffrey A. (Sondra) Burns of Interlaken, Thomas E. (Doreen) Burns of Lodi, John F. Burns of Springfield, NJ, Barbara A. (Tom) Wright of Trumansburg; 6 grandchildren, Christina (Casey) Lincoln, David (Melissa) Burns, JoAnne Goodman, Stephen Wright, Thomas Burns Jr.and Kari Wright; 4 great grandchildren; brother, Lester (Virginia) Burns; sister, Catherine E. Stover; sister-in-law Jane Beardsley and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 2:00 pm. Prayers of Committal at the Grove Cemetery will follow the church service.

The family invites those in attendance to join them for a reception in the church hall immediately following the Prayers of Committal.

Because Ralph was a member of the Trumansburg United Methodist Church for many years the family has requested that contributions in his memory be directed to the church at P.O. Box 628, Trumansburg, NY 14886.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg.

Additional information may be obtained from the funeral home by calling 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director