WAYNE – Vincent “Vin/Vince” Brown Burns, a longtime resident of Wayne, completed his earthly journey on Feb. 17, 2025, at Maine Veterans Home of Augusta.
Vin was born to Vincent Anthony Burns, Esq. and dance instructor, Mary Corbett Burns, on Feb. 22, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts. He met the love of his life, Vinita Murray, at Boston’s Lenox Hotel during ballroom dance lessons when the two were teenagers. They married the day after Vin’s college graduation.
Burns was a proud graduate of The College of the Holy Cross (’57) and was forever grateful for the Jesuit education he received on “The Hill.” Vincent was an Air Force ROTC cadet, enlisted in active duty and spent several years with the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C.
After military service Vin began a career in banking and finance. He and Vinnie raised five children in Wayland, Massachusetts, while Vin worked for John Hancock. They bought a cottage on Pocasset Lake in Wayne in 1967, after a random stop at the Wayne General Store to ask if there was anything for sale in the area. In 1978 the family moved year-round to the village of Wayne.
Vin worked for Northeast Bank in Portland and Lewiston. In the mid-’80s, he was invited by former colleagues to join a new venture in Boston called Independence Investment Associates, where he worked as part of the sales/marketing team. After retiring, he and Vinnie enjoyed several years of travel and golf from their home in Parrish, Florida.
Vin and Vinnie were committed to seeking ways to increase peace in the world. They were active in Marriage Encounter, Caritas, Pax Christi, CCD, The Maine Freeze, Winthrop/Wayne People for Peace, Beyond War and The Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice. Vin was also owner of the Bangor Blue Ox Baseball Club and a benefactor of Sustain Wayne.
Vin conveyed an infectious and eternal optimism. He loved to talk and share his enthusiasm and took heart in hearing the dreams of his family and friends. He was always supportive and willing to help. One of his favorite inquiries was a genuine: “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Vincent leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Vinita Murray Burns, his sister-in-law, Helen Murray, his daughter, Paula Burns, son Vincent Corbett “Corby” Burns and partner Dana Thomas, daughter, Margot Burns Gyorgy and son-in-law Dean Gyorgy, nine grandchildren: Tiffany Burns, Ryah Paloma, Nathaniel Burns and wife, Meg Dzyak Burns, Keighla Burns , Christian Melson and wife Alyssa Melson, Andrew Melson and fiancé, Cheryl-Anne Boccadoro, Emma Gyorgy and wife, Lauren Dennis, Matthew Gyorgy and partner Lauren Blackburn, Nina Gyorgy and two great grandchildren: Julie Melson and Piper Burns, as well as nephew, Michael Thomas Murray and wife Donna Murray, niece Monica Murray Webb and husband David Webb, niece Michelle Murray and fiancé Tony Leavitt. Vincent was predeceased by his daughter, Susan Burns and son, Patrick Burns, sister, Judith Burns, brother-in-law, Michael Murray and daughter-in-law, Monica Arruda Burns.
A Catholic Mass will be said for Vincent on Saturday, 10 a.m., June 7, at St.Francis Xavier Church in Winthrop, a burial in Wayne on Gott Road at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Androscoggin Yacht Club on Lake Street in Wayne.
Vincent spent the last year of his life in the care of the kind and dedicated staff at The Maine Veterans Home in Augusta who came to feel like family.
Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, Maine.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Roberts Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, those who would like to make a donation in Vin’s memory can do so by giving to The Kennebec Land Trust and Sustain Wayne.