David Michael Burns was born on November 1, 1939, the firstborn child of Laura (Johnston Burns) and David Albert Jude Burns of Fall River, Massachusetts. His father was a graduate of Boston University and a high school principal; his mother a graduate of Bridgewater College and career primary school teacher. David was raised in Fall River with his three younger siblings, Bill, Rosemary and Kerry. David would remain close with his siblings throughout his life.

David graduated high school in 1957 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the following year. He completed basic training at Parris Island, S.C. Eventually, he was stationed at  Marine Barracks Washington D.C., better known as "8th and I'. There he was a proud member of the U.S.M.C. Presidential Honor Guard and marched in president John F. Kennedy's inauguration in January, 1961.

Following his discharge from the Marines in 1964,  David attended Stonehill College before transferring to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy where he graduated in 1969. After graduation, he returned to Washington D.C. to begin his career as a pharmacist. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jane Flanagan of Drexel Hill, P.A. They wed the following year at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown and would remain so for 50 years. Shortly thereafter, the newlyweds moved to Alexandria, Virginia to start their family. Their only child, David M. Burns, Jr., was born in November, 1970.

David and Jane would devote themselves to the medical profession for the following 40 years. Both worked at Georgetown University hospital early in their careers. Jane would soon move to pediatric nursing where she spent the remainder of her career. David would transition to retail pharmacy, working for Drug Fair in the 1970's. In 1980 the family moved to Hingham Massachusetts to be closer to his family, but eventually returned to Alexandria in 1983. The couple made many lifelong friends during their stay in Hingham.

David was never an idle man. When not working or spending time with his family, he was an avid boater (particularly sailboats) Porsche enthusiast, voracious reader and avid investor.  

Upon returning to Alexandria, David would begin the final chapter of his career working for Giant Foods as pharmacy manager. He retired in 2006 and the couple moved to Skidaway Island, Georgia to be closer to their son. David and Jane were soon blessed with two granddaughters, Vivan Noel Burns and Laura Jude Burns. The couple would spend the next decade splitting time between their home in Georgia and their summer home on Martha's Vineyard. This provided Jane with plenty of time to garden and David to spend countless hours repairing boats that rarely saw the water.

David's final years were spent in loving care of Jane as she suffered from dementia. HIs devotion to his wife was truly inspirational. Jane would eventually succumb to her illness in February 2022. Following a long, brave battle against cancer, David returned to his heavenly Father, and loving wife, on November 9, 2024, soon after his 85th birthday.

David leaves behind a loving family, to include, his son David and daughter-in-law Elle Burns, his granddaughters Vivan and Jude, his brother Bill and his wife Peggy, sisters Rosemary and Kerry, and 10 nieces and nephews on the Burns side.

He also leaves behind Jane's sister Pat Killian, brother Frank Flanagan and 5 nieces and nephews on the Flanagan side.

David will be sorely missed by those that loved him, but his example of a life lived in the service of others shall live on through them.

To attend this service via livestream, please visit https://vimeo.com/event/4729539