Michael L. Burns III, 68, of Tinicum Township, PA, passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in his home in Lester, PA from complications related to multiple myeloma. He leaves his wife, Sue Burns (nee Betsch); son Michael, husband of Jill (nee Cantor), of Ardmore; two grandchildren: Rose and Maggie; and a brother: Robert, husband of Ethel (nee Campbell), of Lester. Mike was preceded in death by his wife Rosanne Burns (nee Turiocy); and his parents, Michael L. and Sophie Burns (nee Chimeleski). Mike was born in Ashland, PA, and attended both Ridley Park High School and Interboro, where he played football and threw shotput. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt Midway-class aircraft carrier during Vietnam. The ship’s nickname is shared with his first-born grandchild: “Rosie.” He was honorably discharged. Following service, Mike graduated from Widener University. He then served as a police officer for 30 years with the Tinicum Township Police Department and retired as Sergeant. Mike also served as a volunteer fireman in Tinicum Township, Mike was a 50 year+ member where he was active with the Essington and Lester Fire Companies. Following retirement from the police force, Mike was the Security Specialist for the Rotorcraft Division of Boeing in Ridley Park, PA. He was also the inventor of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,347,539, 8,544,200, and 8,667,725, issued for “Trigger Guard for Loading and Unloading A Weapon.” Mike was a member of St. Margaret Mary Church, St. Gabriel Church, and the Knights of Columbus. Mike enjoyed spending time with family at his home in Cape May, NJ, and walking along the beach of the Delaware bay. He was also a fan of the Philadelphia sports teams. Mike's viewing will be held on Friday, January 27, from 6pm to 9pm, and again on Saturday, January 28, from 8:30am to 9:30am, at Cavanagh Funeral Home in Norwood, PA. A funeral mass will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church in Essington, PA on Saturday, January 28 at 10am, followed by a burial at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Autism Speaks, online at www.autismspeaks.org, or by mail to Autism Speaks, ATTN Web Gift, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540.
