William Thomas Burns Jr.

November 17, 1939 — December 27, 2017

Dorset, Vermont

William "Tim" Thomas Burns, Jr. died peacefully at home in Dorset, VT surrounded by his loving family on December 27, 2017. He was 78.

Tim was born on November 17, 1939 in Bay Ridge Brooklyn to William T. Burns, Sr. and Elinor (Sterling) Burns. Tim received his primary education in Bay Ridge and secondary education at Brooklyn Academy and Tilton Academy in New Hampshire. Every weekend and summer was spent in Dorset with his paternal grandmother, Julia Burns, and his aunts. He often talked about seeing the Taconic Parkway built, exit by exit. He attended the University of Vermont, later proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force with the 55th A&E, Strategic Air Command under General Curtis LeMay. After discharge Tim returned to Dorset where he remained.

Tim earned his master electrician license while working for Peter Brooks in the mid '60s. He went on to create Rockwell Burns and worked in real estate, adding insurance in 1972. The company later relocated to Dorset and was renamed William T. Burns, Insurance. He built the business into one of the top agencies in the state for the Co-Operative Insurance Company. His son, William C. Burns, joined him in the business in 1992 and together they continued to grow the agency. Tim retired in 2005, turning over the reins to his son.

He and his wife of 31 years, Jennifer Richardson, began to winter in Naples, Florida where Tim found a great group of friends who shared his passion for working on cars. Tim had a lifelong love affair with cars and excelled at modifying and building them beginning with souping up his mother's 1952 Ford. He built several wonderful cars over his lifetime. This hobby was responsible for the ever-increasing number of garages on the property! In addition, Tim was an avid boater and snowmobiler. His boat, 'Piece of Cake,' was a fixture on Lake Saint Catherine. He enjoyed racing snowmobiles and was a longtime member of The Green Mountain Trailblazers. Tim was very dedicated to racing and had many fond memories of years spent on the NETRA (New England Trail Rider Association) Hare Scramble circuit with his son.

Tim was a former multiple-term president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and member of the Dorset Planning Commission. He was a life-time member of the VFW, the AmVets, American Legion and the Eagles.

Mr. Burns is survived by his wife, Jennifer Richardson; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Burns Moore and John Moore of Neponsit, New York; his son, William Christopher Burns of Dorset, VT; his grandchildren, Morgan Elizabeth Burns and Christopher John Moore; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Patricia Burns Conant.

At Tim's request, there will be no calling hours or formal service. He would like all his friends to get together at the Eagles in Manchester to share memories and laughs on Saturday January 6, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The VFW will present military honors at 2:00p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Tim's memory be made to Dorset Nursing/VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, or The Manchester Rescue Squad, through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201. Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

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Past Services

First Visitation

Saturday, January 6, 2018

1:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)

Fraternal Order of the Eagles

2282 Vermont 11, Manchester, VT 05255

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