Thomas F. Burns, Jr., 74, of Pottsville, died peacefully Tuesday morning at home.
He was born February 14, 1947 in Pottsville a son of the late Thomas F. Sr, and Frances Yannacone Burns.
He was a 1964 graduated of Pottsville High School.
After high school Tom join the Navy Seabees where he attained the rank Petty Officer 3rd class repairing equipment and radios during the Vietnam War.
After his service in the Navy Tom joined his father and opened Burns Auto Sales selling late model cars and muscles cars. They also formed B & K Auto Wholesales selling at local dealership auctions. During that time Tom dragged race a Ford Exception which won dozens of class trophies, and also won 2 elimination trophies and prize money from 2 local drag stripes.
Tom was also a musician playing guitar for many local bands such as Avatar, JZ and the Midnight Express, Chamberlin Road , No Way Out, and many more.
Tom had a few garages around Pottsville where he would repair cars and trucks. Afterwards Tom went to driving trucks and delivering for a few local companies one of which was Roadway Express, Inc. for a few years.
Tom then owned a Dynamic Sound and Lighting which provided lighting and sound for some the regional and tribute bands. He and his wife Sandy opened Club Paparazzi and Pisano’s Pizza, hosting bands, comedy shows, plays, parties and numerous other forms of entertainment.
He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, and a member Pottsville Street Racing Association.
He was preceded in death by a step-son Dennis Hewes. Surviving are his wife Sandra Shemansik Burns, 2 sons Cory Burns and his wife Rhianne, Pittsburgh, Brian Burns and his companion Cheyenne, grandson Clayton Demcher; nephew and care giver, Mike Marcolla; nephew, Kevin Polyak and his wife Kate; a sister-in-law Linda Polyak and her husband Kevin, Shillington; loyal companion Tyler; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Services celebrating the life of Tom will be held Friday at 11AM from James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with Deacon Larry Lonergan officiating. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9AM until the time of services and the funeral home. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Tom be made to American Cancer Society, 712 Keyser Ave, Taylor, PA 18517. Interment with military honors will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
Please share your memories and condolences with Tom’s family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com.
- Go to Schuylkill County Obituaries
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