Obituary of Raymond E. Burns

Raymond Everett Burns of Sidney, New York, passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at the New York State Veterans' Home in Oxford, New York at the ripe old age of 93. Forever a jokester and full of laughs, Ray will be sorely missed by his surviving family. Raymond was born on June 13, 1931 to Earl and Geneva Burns on the family farm in Colesville, New York where he raised cain with his 14 siblings. He attended Harpursville Central School and then served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Ray was first married to Janice Dumond and later married Nancy Sue Haynes. He was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Sidney where he served on the Board of Trustees for several years. He was also a member of the American Legion in Sidney. Throughout his lifetime, Ray loved taking risks. He became a private pilot and flew his own Piper Cherokee airplane. He even finished building and flew his own experimental gyrocopter. Raymond was an avid golfer. He spent many hours on the golf course where his wife, Nancy, would drive him around in a golf cart. He also relished the time spent on the golf course with his son, Gary. Ray enjoyed family vacations and once their children were grown, he and Nancy had many travel adventures together, including two trips driving cross country to Alaska. Raymond retired in 1994 from the local International Union of Operating Engineers where he was a union steward, job foreman, heavy equipment operator, as well as a certified crane operator. He also owned and operated several local businesses including the Jug and Pantry, Drift Inn, and Main Gate. Ray is survived by his children Sherry (John) Proskine, Lori Burns (Fred Worden), Gary (Pam) Burns, Lisa Burns (John Pendergrass), and Amy (Chris) Cuozzo. Also surviving him are his grandchildren Shane, Shanna, Billy, Stephen, Makenzie, Jacob, and great grandson Callum Ray. In addition, Ray is survived by brothers Kenneth and Gerald Burns. Raymond was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy Sue Burns, brothers Earl, Edward, Robert, Charles, Ralph, George, Jack, and sisters Violet, Irene, Marguerite (Peg), Charlotte, and Beatrice. Ray's children would like to thank the staff at Heritage at the Plains at Parish Homestead in Oneonta, New York for the wonderful care their dad received during his time there. They would also like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at the New York State Veterans' Home in Oxford, New York for the loving care their dad was given during his final months. A private graveside service with military honors will be held in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Sidney. Donations may be made in Ray's honor to the New York State Veterans' Home in Oxford, New York 4207 State Highway 220 Oxford, NY 13830-4101.