Edmund John Burns Sr.
Edmund John Burns Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 6th, 2025, at home in Stamford, Connecticut. He was 92.
Edmund was born in Peekskill, NY, on August 29th, 1932, to Madeline (Dugan) Burns and Edward Burns, both descendants of Irish immigrants. He attended Peekskill public schools. As a child, he was referred to as “Fast Eddie” for his constant hustle: delivering newspapers, shining shoes, and setting up pins at the bowling alley, all while excelling at various sports. With the earnings he made from these endeavors, he would save the money and ask his mother to buy herself a hat. His devotion to his mother was evident throughout his life.
In high school, Edmund was a star athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating, he pursued a degree in electronics at SUNY Cobleskill. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the Korean War to serve in the US Navy, where he remained for six years.
During his time in the Navy, Edmund’s athletic talents continued to shine, becoming a star player for the football and baseball teams. After his enlistment, he returned to New York and accepted a position at IBM. Simultaneously, his football coach in the Navy secured a job at Montana State University, and extended a full football and baseball scholarship. He chose football and IBM agreed to hold his position until after graduation. Edmund shone on the football field and his team was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame for their historic contribution to the Bobcats’ national football championship in 1956.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Edmund’s most treasured experience at MSU was meeting his beloved wife, Charlee Taylor, of Great Falls, Montana. They both described their first date as love at first sight and married shortly thereafter. They were happily married for 59 years.
After graduation, Edmund and Charlee relocated to Yorktown Heights, New York, and raised their three children, Deborah, Edmund (EJ), and Christopher. Edmund was actively involved in his children’s lives up until his last breath. Ever an adventure enthusiast, he regularly took his children camping and canoeing. He coached all of their sports teams and made a point to visit Charlee’s family in Montana as often as he could. He was a true patriarch in every sense of the word.
Edmund embarked on an illustrious career at IBM, marked by 35 years of success and international recognition; most notably, he was asked to represent the company at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In his later years, Edmund transitioned to consulting, where he worked with the notable New York City law firm Cravath Swain and Moore, among many others.
Edmund was a vibrant spirit with a big heart. He loved life and was deeply devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Anyone who met him instantly adored him. A host of many epic parties, a master storyteller, and a hopeless romantic who regularly serenaded his wife with song. He was a remarkable force of kindness, humor, fun, and decency who will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.
Edmund is preceded in death by his wife, Charlee; parents, Madeline and Edward; siblings, Jack, Madeline, and Katie. He is survived by his children: Deborah, EJ, and Christopher; grandchildren: Christina, Annabel, Elizabeth, Matthew, and Jack; son and daughter-in-law: Bjorn Nielsen and Misti Burns.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Christ Church, 254 E Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830.
– Obituary from Leo P. Gallagher and Son Funeral Home
