Joseph F. Burns

Joseph F. Burns passed away at home in Teaneck, New Jersey on June 26, 2018 at 89 years of age.

Born on February 20, 1929 to Mary (Joyce) Burns and Robert Burns, he grew up in Harlem and the Bronx.

He graduated with honors from Iona College in 1951 and married the love of his life Patricia (Forrestal) in 1952. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past December. He worked in the insurance industry until retirement and then happily worked part-time as host at Delta Grill in NYC, a restaurant owned by his son Thomas.

He resided in Bergen County, New Jersey since 1961 where he and Patricia raised eight children.  Burns and his wife were active in civil rights causes in the 1960s, and continued to influence and inspire family and friends on humanitarian issues.

Joe Burns was a family man, a business man and a runner! He began his long and successful career as a distance runner in 1944. In the 1950s, he was a proud member of the Harlem-based NY Pioneer Club, one of the first interracial track & field organizations in the region. It was through the Pioneer Club and other NYC running clubs, including the Millrose AA, that he developed life-long friendships with other trailblazers of the sport. Between the 1950s and 1970s, this group of runners helped to bring the benefits and joy of organized long distance running and racing to the masses. Over time, their commitment to the sport resulted in hundreds of NYC area road races including the New York City Marathon. Burns was a frequent award winner at road races throughout the Northeast. He also competed in many marathons (26.2 miles) throughout the world, including the first New York City Marathon. He was a proud member of the Millrose AA winning team at the 1976 London-to-Brighton 52.5 mile race. His enthusiasm for the many benefits of the running lifestyle was contagious and he inspired many to take up the sport.

He is survived by wife Patricia (Forrestal), his children Brian, Liz, Gerry, Jeanne, Paul, Edward and Cornelia, 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild. His son Thomas passed away in 2001. He was predeceased by sister Mary (Harris) and brother Robert.

Visitation will be held at Petrik Funeral Home, 140 Palisade Avenue, Bogota, New Jersey on Thursday, June 28 from 3:00 pm-8:00 pm and on Friday, June 29 from 3:00 pm-8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 30 at 9:30 am at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, 55 W. Demarest Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made to the charity of your choosing.