Robert Burns, longtime North Babylon SD coach
by Carolyn James

For many years, Robert Burns taught mathematics and coached athletes in the North Babylon School District, telling his family that he enjoyed being in front of a class and working with young people more than almost anything else. He retired from the district in 1992 after having served for 32 years. He then spent time playing golf and traveling.

Robert W. burns, a longtime resident of Babylon, died July 24, 2007 after an 18-month fight against colon cancer. He was 70 years old.

Born in Brunswick, New Jersey in 1936 to William and Ethel Blauvelt Burns, Mr. Burns grew up in the South Bronx in the shadow of Yankee Stadium. He attended St. Angela Merici Grade School, Cardinal Hayes High School and Manhattan College.

"My dad was never depressed and was enthusiastic about life and upbeat right to the very end," said his daughter Margaret. "Even after he was diagnosed with cancer, he continued to travel and look to the future."

One of those things he looked forward to was the opening of the new Yankee Stadium. A sports enthusiast, he loved the New York Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Notre Dame football and Manhattan Jaspers basketball teams. He had a "quick Irish wit" according to his wife of 42 years Eleanor, and became a beloved coach for the North Babylon Bulldogs, enjoying many successful seasons.

"He coached wherever he was needed", said his daughter. "But he didn't think that winning was everything; he wanted kids to play and to learn from the experience."

"He was my football coach, a very good man," said Father Joseph Fitzgerald. "I would like to say that we won 100 championships but we didn't. He taught us abut life and the importance of being a man."

In 1985, the Bulldogs football team, coached by Mr. Burns, was the undefeated League II Champion. A member of that team was Steve Bellone, now Supervisor for the Town of Babylon.

"He was a wonderful man and was concerned more about teaching and helping kids on his team than winning," said Bellone. "He had a tremendous impact on me and a lot of kids."

In addition to his career in North Babylon, Mr. Burns worked for the Village of Babylon courts and as a golf ranger at the Sunken Meadow Golf Course. He took many golfing trips with his buddies.

One of those golfing buddies was his colleague in North Babylon, Herb Kahl. "Bobby's first passion was his family but his second passion was for the Yankees and the Giants," said Kahl, who recalled how the two men would take a Giants' road trip every year to see the team play in other parts of the country.

"He was an extremely loving and caring father who was very proud of his family," said his daughter Ellen of Babylon.

In addition to his daughters Ellen, and Margaret Burke and her husband Carl of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Mr. Burns is survived by his other children: Mary Madsen and her husband Carl of Babylon and William of Nesconset. He is also survived by his four grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa: Franklin, John, Elizabeth and Daniel.

Mr. Burns reposed at the Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral home, 338 West Main St., Babylon Village Thursday and Friday, July 26 and 27. A funeral Mass was said Saturday, July 29, at St. Joseph's R.C. church, Babylon.

The family has requested that donations in Mr. Burns' name be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 4747-20 Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776.

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