Ed Burns, Bensalem's First Mayor, Dead At 87

BENSALEM, PA — Edward F. Burns, who, in 1989, was elected as Bensalem's first mayor, died Thursday at his home in Audubon. He was 87.

Burns, died peacefully at his home, according to his obituary.

He was being remembered as a long-serving official who devoted decades to Bensalem and the surrounding area. Before becoming mayor, Burns represented the Bensalem area for 20 years in the Pennsylvania State House.

Before that, he was head of the Bensalem Recreation Department and a member of the school board. A graduate of La Salle University, with a master's degree in education from Temple, Burns taught school for 20 years and served as the Neshaminy School District's varsity swim coach.

In addition to all of that, he served for 40 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve.

"He was a dear friend and mentor, and he was highly approachable," said state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, who was elected to the House when Burns decided to run for mayor, to the Intelligencer. "Ed was someone you could walk up to in the supermarket and say, 'Hey, Ed I got this problem.' He was a natural leader and very community oriented."

Burns is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Burns, his son Joseph F. Burns, his sister-in-law Annmarie Burns, and his 2 grandchildren, Christopher and John Burns. He was preceded in death by two sons, Edward J. and Robert J. Burns, and his brother, John Burns.

A viewing for family and friends is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Tomlinson Funeral Home, at 2207 Bristol Pike in Bensalem, and on Thursday, Jan. 17, from 10-11 a.m. at St. Ephrem Church, at 5400 Hulmeville Rd. in Bensalem.

The Thursday viewing will be followed by a mass at 11 a.m. Internment will be at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.

Photo courtesy Tomlinson Funeral Home