Harrison Marshall Burns

RUMFORD – Harrison Marshall Burns “Harry” died on April 29, 2026. He was born in Rumford, April 30, 1931 to Erlon Clifton Burns and Mary (Elliot) Burns. He grew up on a small farm in Rumford Point where the family raised crops, chickens, and other animals and where he learned the value of hard work. Harry attended Rumford Schools and the University of Maine, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program.

After college, a two-year tour of duty in the Army took him to Camp Hero in Montauk Point, Long Island, N.Y. where the then, first lieutenant, met Frances Coady, who became his wife of 59 years, before her death in 2015. Together they raised a family of three boys, Michael, Robert and David in Rumford Point.

Harry worked for A. P. Wyman as laborer, foreman, and superintendent for several years before becoming the Town Engineer for the Town of Rumford, where he served for a decade. He then joined the Maine Department of Transportation as a resident engineer, overseeing bridge construction projects in western Maine and in the greater Bangor area before retiring as Highway Construction Engineer in 1994, overseeing projects across central and northern parts of the state.

The family camp on Howard Pond in Hanover was always a special place. Camp called to him each spring and the family moved up immediately after school got out, returning home the weekend before school began in the fall. During later years, the season was extended from May to September. Fran didn’t like the bugs early in the year but they never bothered Harry. The family fished, water skied, swam and sailed at camp. Harry and the boys also built a catamaran sailboat in the basement of their home that was anchored in front of the camp for several years. Snowmobiling and grooming the trails were wintertime activities where the family enjoyed many happy hours together.

Harry served in many capacities for the Rumford Point Congregational Church including trustee, cook for barbecue chicken and lobster dinners, and treasurer for many years. After fighting many fires, he retired as Captain of volunteer Company 6 in the Rumford Fire Department. Harry also served on the town’s Finance and Charter Committees and chaired the Rumford Water District Board of Trustees for 24 years. In 2015, the Town of Rumford presented Harry with the Citizen of the Year award for all the volunteer work he did for the town over his lifetime.

Harry was very active in the Oxford Hills Chapter of SCORE advising new business owners on how to start and operate a business. He was an advisor for 25 years and was awarded Emeritus Member status.

After retirement, Harry and Fran bought two antique cars (a 1928 Plymouth and a 1937 Buick), becoming members of the Plymouth Owner’s Club and the Antique Automobile Club of America. They would take the cars out for rides and they found joy in touring with groups throughout Maine, in other parts of the United States, or Canada. Harry was also a member of the Western Mountain Woodturners and turned many bowls as a hobby after retirement.

Harry is survived by sons Michael Burns (Deborah), Robert Burns (Louise), and David Burns (Marcia); eight grandchildren, M. Nicholas Burns (Shira), Andrew Burns (Audra Boynton), Amy Landry (Jon Provost), Margaret (Burns) Mills (Christian), Emma Burns (Ryan Couture), Matthew Burns (Kristen), Jason Burns (Sabrina), and Erika Burns (Marshall Cassidy); 16 great-grandchildren, Connolly, Davis, Everett, Alex, Madelyne, Lydia, Jackson, Analiese, Mirabell, Ronan, Ezra, Rowan, Lennon, Adeline, Jack, and Scarlett. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Barbara (Cameron) Burns and brother, Richard Burns (Barbara); nieces and nephews Mary Gatter, Julie Botel, Linda Gatter, Michele Grossman, John Coady, Arthur Burns, Gayle (Burns) Maddox, Edward Burns, William Burns and Marcia (Parlin) Bell.

Harry was predeceased by his parents; wife, Frances; brother, Elliot, sister, Mary Louise Burns, half-brother, Charles Parlin; and granddaughter, Erica (Webber) O’Donnell.

The family wants to express our appreciation to his caretakers of several years, Bev, Betsy, and Jeanette.

Friends and family are invited to share memories of Harry at http://www.meaderandsson.com.

Visiting hours will be May 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Meader & Son at 3 Franklin St. in Rumford. A funeral will follow on May 14 at 11 a.m. at the Rumford Point Congregational Church. Interment will be at the West Ellis Cemetery in Rumford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Harry’s memory to

Rumford Point Congregational Church

P.O. Box 38

Hanover ME 04237