NEW BOSTON, NY – Neil R. Burns, 88, died Monday, March 18, 2019, at home under the care of his family and Lewis County Hospice.
Mr. Burns was born on April 2, 1930, on the family homestead, the son of the late Carl and Margaret (Maher) Burns. Neil attended rural school in New Boston and graduated from Lowville Free Academy. On March 20, 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Germany. Neil was honorably discharged on March 12, 1957. Upon returning home he went into farming with his father Carl.
On February 8, 1958 he married Ruth Blanche Lucas. They made their home on the Burns homestead. She passed away on May 1, 1979.
Neil was a farmer his entire life in New Boston on the family homestead retiring in 1980s due to health. His son Richard started the farm up again and he began helping on the farm once again.
He is survived by companion of 38 years, Betty L. Sykes; his children, Richard C. Burns; Kathy A. (Jan) McIntosh; Yvonne (Stanley) Spencer; Brenda (George) Merrill; a daughter-in-law, Trudy Segovis; his grandchildren, Ava and Brian Burns, Katie (Jeff) Torch, Colleen McIntosh and companion Troy Babcock, Stan Spencer and fiancé Nicky Manzer, Samantha Spencer, Andy, Chris, Debbie and Ed Merrill, Heather and Ryan St. Louis, Heidi and fiancé Brian Creighton; four great grandchildren; his sister, Elizabeth A. “Betty” Bush; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Neil was predeceased by his step son Leon Segovis, Jr.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2019, at the Lowville V.F.W. There will be no funeral or calling hours. A private military burial will be in Barnes Corners Cemetery in the spring.
Memorials in Neil’s name may be made to: LACS, 7668 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367, Memory of: Neil R. Burns Scholarship, or Friends of Lewis County Hospice, Inc. P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367.
An online message of sympathy may be made at www.sundquistfh.com
