John James Burns, 90 of Burlington/Colchester, VT and Vero Beach, FL passed away January 13, 2022 in Vero Beach, FL. Born May 19, 1931 to John Burns, Sr. and Isabelle McAuliffe Burns in Burlington, Vermont. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1949, served as a drill Sgt. in the U.S. Marines at Parris Island and graduated from University of Vermont.

He married the love of his life, Joan McKenzie, May 11, 1951 in Burlington, Vermont and together raised their eight children in Burlington. John was a Claims Adjuster for Travelers Insurance until he retired. He served on the Burlington, VT Police Commission, and was active in the North End (Burlington) Little League and Burlington High School Boosters.

To know John Burns, was to know a man who loved to spend time with Joan walking, family skiing, golfing, travelling, gambling, boating and lake adventures, enjoying Vermont and Florida, and most importantly spending time with family. Having bought one of the first camps in the Sand Dunes in Colchester, VT, John has been a presence there for over 65 years. He loved to be on Lake Champlain. John adored fishing, hunting, and spending time at the beloved Blarney Castle in the mountains. John never met a dog he didn’t want to hug. He built a sense of family with Joan, that has forever bonded the family with many annual family gatherings where love, laughter, stories, and a good dose of joking have been the tradition. His unforgettable presence will be dearly missed.

John was predeceased by his mother and father of Burlington, VT. He is survived by his wife Joan (McKenzie), children Stephen and Valerie Burns of Williston, VT, Barbara Burns Maynard of Waterbury Center, VT, Julie Burns of Montpelier, VT, Linda and Tim Riley of Colchester, VT, Thomas and Wendy Burns of Colchester, VT, Catherine Peltier of Burlington, VT, Robert Burns of Colchester, VT, William and Maria Burns of Colchester, VT, daughter in-law Jerri Burns of Colchester, VT; ten grandchildren; Chris Burns and Jessica Restivo, Merrie-Beth Cleary, Stephen Maynard, Megan Jacob, Michael Riley, Heather Chandler, Tim, Sean and Colin Burns, sixteen great-grandchildren and counting, Aiden and Thomas Burns, Luca, Ava and Isla Restivo, Addison, Brynnleigh, Emerson and Sutton Cleary, Brady and Kinley Jacob, Aubrie and Kenzie Riley, Cam and Cole Chandler, Chase Burns, his special friend Glen Critchlow, who he met in first grade and were together through grammar school, high school and the Marines.

Services are to be arranged in Vermont at the family’s convenience in summer 2022.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John’s memory be made to the charity of your choice.

Friends are encouraged to leave fond memories and condolences for his family at www.millenniumcremationservice.com. All are arrangements are under the direction and care of Millennium Cremation Service of Vero Beach.