J. William Burns of West Hartford, beloved husband of Ann Sylvia (Dahlin) Burns, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the age of 87. He was born in Hartford on January 13, 1929, son of the late Joseph J. Burns and Irene (Ahern) Burns and was a resident of West Hartford for 67 years. Bill was a graduate of St. Michael's School and Weaver High School, Class of 1946.
He was very proud of his Irish heritage and of growing up in the North End of Hartford on Vine Street. He proudly served his country in the United States Army in Korea where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and then Master Sergeant in the Reserves. A staunch democrat, Bill served on the West Hartford Town Council for 10 years and was Minority Leader for 3 years. He and his wife, Ann, held Democratic Headquarters for the 10th district in their home for at least 15 years. He started at The Hartford Times as a pressman after serving in the Army, eventually, he became an employee of the State of Connecticut in Governor Ella Grasso's Administration. He became Deputy Director of Office of Policy and Management under Director Anthony Milano. After Governor Grasso passed away, Governor William O'Neill named him Commissioner of Transportation where he served for 10 years and again for 2 years under Governor John Rowland.
Bill was the First Director of the Greater Hartford Transit District and First Director of the Starkel Rd. Senior Housing in West Hartford. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son Steven J. Burns and his wife Kelly W. Burns of West Hartford; a daughter Jamie C. Mannetti of Windsor Locks; two grandchildren Michael J. Burns of West Hartford and Gianna C. Mannetti of Windsor Locks. He is also survived by his brother and sister in law Raymond J. and Shirley Burns of Wethersfield and his sister and brother in law Jane B. and John Hurley of East Wallingford, VT. He also leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill was predeceased by his son in law James E. Mannetti, his brothers, Joseph J. Burns, Jr. and Edward F. Burns and his sisters, Patricia B. Everin and Rita B. Thiery. Funeral procession will be Wednesday, (June 1), 9:15 am from the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated at 10:00 am at the Church of St. Helena, Echo Lane, West Hartford. Burial with military honors will be in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Tuesday, (May 31), from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Children's Hospital, Cancer Research, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Online condolences may be made at www.Sheehan HilbornBreen.com.