South Burlington, VT - It was with great sadness that we said good-bye to Al on February 20th when he passed away from congestive heart failure at the respectable age of 90.

Al was born in Colchester on September 23, 1931 to Ralph Burns and Gertrude King. He grew up on the family farm on Pleasant Valley Road in the shadow of Mt. Mansfield. As the youngest of seven children, he was expected to help with many chores and was driving the tractor by the age of five. His memories of growing up on the farm were very dear to him and he was indeed a proud Vermont farmer.

Al graduated from Essex High School in 1949 and in 1951 joined the Air Force. He was sent to the University of Denver for food sanitation training, which would be the basis for his eventual career. He served during the Korean War, during which he spent a year in Greenland and had many interesting stories to share about his experience there.

After discharge in 1955 Al managed the Checkerboard Store in Essex Junction and Fairfield. He also held second jobs at Al's French Frys and the Post Office. In 1962 Al moved to Derby Vermont where he became the manager of Pyrofax Gas. He also co-owned the B&W Snack Bar in Orleans (B&W being short for Burns & Whittemore).

In 1969 Al became a health inspector for the Vermont Department of Health; a career he would have for 46 years. In 1982 he was promoted to Sanitarian Supervisor for the entire state of Vermont. Al was a very hands-on supervisor, assisting his sanitarians with the inspections of restaurants, lodging, schools, prisons and rock concerts, among other things. Al was a no-nonsense inspector who excelled at his job. While the job required him to regulate, his main goal was to educate food establishments how to run a clean and sanitary business. He wanted the businesses in Vermont to be the best they could for its residents and guests. He sometimes wasn't popular, but he was well respected. After helping resolve some major foodborne outbreaks, he was presented with the Friend to Industry Award in 1996. Al had some very interesting stories to tell about his career but especially about the Grateful Dead and Phish concerts he inspected. With great reluctance, Al retired in 2015 at the age of 84 due to declining health.

Another of Al's passions was downhill skiing. He learned to ski at age 5 and took his last runs in March 2019 at the age of 87 with an oxygen concentrator strapped to his back. In 1965 he joined the Jay Peak Ski Patrol as a volunteer and over the years served in various leadership roles in the National Ski Patrol, eventually becoming the assistant patrol leader at Jay Peak for many years. He retired in the winter of 2006-2007 after 41 years of service.

When he wasn't working or skiing, Al was square dancing, initially with the North Country Swingers in Newport. Al met his wife Linda through square dancing and together they danced locally and throughout the U.S. and Canada for 40 years. They say that square dancing is friendship set to music and that couldn't be truer for Al and Linda who made many dear friends.

Al and Linda discovered their love of travel when they decided to try camping in 1981 with a small tent and a cross country trip. Over the years they upgraded and with daughter Kimberly had many fun trips around the northeast, making yet another group of wonderful camping friends. Besides traveling extensively in the continental US, they also visited Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and many countries in Europe. Al was fortunate to take his last vacation in November 2021; a family trip to California where he visited Yosemite National Park.

Al will be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to pull out a joke at the spur of the moment. He was often the life of the party.

Al is survived by his wife Linda, children Sue Guskea (Dru) of Jericho, Wendy LeBlanc (Charlie Parrott) of Spring Hill, FL, Brian Burns (Daniel Dyke) of Jamaica Plain, MA, Randy Burns (Shannon) of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Kimberly Burns (Patrick Gagnon) of South Burlington, grandchildren Robbie LeBlanc of New Gloucester, ME, Sonja Guskea of Essex Junction, Trevor and Bridget Burns of Florida, great grandson Brandon Hubbard of Maine, Suki Cat and granddog Scout, all of whom were dear to him.

Al was predeceased by his siblings Robert, George, Raymond, Roland, Edith and Ella as well as beloved granddaughter Heidi LeBlanc.

A Funeral Liturgy of the Word will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 2:00 at St. John Vianney Church. In lieu of calling hours, a celebration of Al's life will be held immediately following, details to be announced at the service. Face masks will be required at the service. Guests are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts which were a signature of Al's. For those who wish to make memorial donations, they may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans City, VT 05478 or Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (online).

Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel 261 Shelburne Rd in Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.

Published in Burlington Free Press

South Burlington, VT - It was with great sadness that we said good-bye to Al on February 20th when he passed away from congestive heart failure at the respectable age of 90.

Al was born in Colchester on September 23, 1931 to Ralph Burns and Gertrude King. He grew up on the family farm on Pleasant Valley Road in the shadow of Mt. Mansfield. As the youngest of seven children, he was expected to help with many chores and was driving the tractor by the age of five. His memories of growing up on the farm were very dear to him and he was indeed a proud Vermont farmer.

Al graduated from Essex High School in 1949 and in 1951 joined the Air Force. He was sent to the University of Denver for food sanitation training, which would be the basis for his eventual career. He served during the Korean War, during which he spent a year in Greenland and had many interesting stories to share about his experience there.

After discharge in 1955 Al managed the Checkerboard Store in Essex Junction and Fairfield. He also held second jobs at Al's French Frys and the Post Office. In 1962 Al moved to Derby Vermont where he became the manager of Pyrofax Gas. He also co-owned the B&W Snack Bar in Orleans (B&W being short for Burns & Whittemore).

In 1969 Al became a health inspector for the Vermont Department of Health; a career he would have for 46 years. In 1982 he was promoted to Sanitarian Supervisor for the entire state of Vermont. Al was a very hands-on supervisor, assisting his sanitarians with the inspections of restaurants, lodging, schools, prisons and rock concerts, among other things. Al was a no-nonsense inspector who excelled at his job. While the job required him to regulate, his main goal was to educate food establishments how to run a clean and sanitary business. He wanted the businesses in Vermont to be the best they could for its residents and guests. He sometimes wasn't popular, but he was well respected. After helping resolve some major foodborne outbreaks, he was presented with the Friend to Industry Award in 1996. Al had some very interesting stories to tell about his career but especially about the Grateful Dead and Phish concerts he inspected. With great reluctance, Al retired in 2015 at the age of 84 due to declining health.

Another of Al's passions was downhill skiing. He learned to ski at age 5 and took his last runs in March 2019 at the age of 87 with an oxygen concentrator strapped to his back. In 1965 he joined the Jay Peak Ski Patrol as a volunteer and over the years served in various leadership roles in the National Ski Patrol, eventually becoming the assistant patrol leader at Jay Peak for many years. He retired in the winter of 2006-2007 after 41 years of service.

When he wasn't working or skiing, Al was square dancing, initially with the North Country Swingers in Newport. Al met his wife Linda through square dancing and together they danced locally and throughout the U.S. and Canada for 40 years. They say that square dancing is friendship set to music and that couldn't be truer for Al and Linda who made many dear friends.

Al and Linda discovered their love of travel when they decided to try camping in 1981 with a small tent and a cross country trip. Over the years they upgraded and with daughter Kimberly had many fun trips around the northeast, making yet another group of wonderful camping friends. Besides traveling extensively in the continental US, they also visited Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and many countries in Europe. Al was fortunate to take his last vacation in November 2021; a family trip to California where he visited Yosemite National Park.

Al will be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to pull out a joke at the spur of the moment. He was often the life of the party.

Al is survived by his wife Linda, children Sue Guskea (Dru) of Jericho, Wendy LeBlanc (Charlie Parrott) of Spring Hill, FL, Brian Burns (Daniel Dyke) of Jamaica Plain, MA, Randy Burns (Shannon) of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Kimberly Burns (Patrick Gagnon) of South Burlington, grandchildren Robbie LeBlanc of New Gloucester, ME, Sonja Guskea of Essex Junction, Trevor and Bridget Burns of Florida, great grandson Brandon Hubbard of Maine, Suki Cat and granddog Scout, all of whom were dear to him.

Al was predeceased by his siblings Robert, George, Raymond, Roland, Edith and Ella as well as beloved granddaughter Heidi LeBlanc.

A Funeral Liturgy of the Word will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 2:00 at St. John Vianney Church. In lieu of calling hours, a celebration of Al's life will be held immediately following, details to be announced at the service. Face masks will be required at the service. Guests are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts which were a signature of Al's. For those who wish to make memorial donations, they may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans City, VT 05478 or Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (online).

Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel 261 Shelburne Rd in Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.

Published in Burlington Free Press