Reverend Carman G. Burns
1934-2020
Reverend
Carman G. Burns (B.A., M DIV) – 86, Truro, passed
away Sunday morning, May 31, 2020, at Colchester East Hants Health
Centre, Truro. Carman was born in Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick, and
was the eldest son of the late Harry and Alice (Allen) Burns.
He attended
school at Cape Tormentine and at Port Elgin and graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University. He studied
theology at Pine Hill Divinity Hall; he graduated in 1961 and was
ordained by Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada in the
same year. Following ordination, Carman served the church faithfully
and well in the following pastoral charges: Nashwaak in Fredericton
Presbytery, Red Bank and New Brandon in Miramichi Presbytery, and
River John – West Branch in Pictou Presbytery. In all of
them he was a dedicated Minister of Word, Sacraments and Pastoral
Care. He served on many Presbytery committees and was an active member
of several Conference committees. He served as Chair of Miramichi and
Pictou Presbytries and was a member of the Conference Executive and a
Commissioner to the General Council.
Carman had two
children and is survived by his son, Dr. Peter (Tammy) Burns. His
beloved daughter, Lesley, died in 1980. He married Alice Hurry in
1986 who has three daughters – Bonnie Hurry (Joffre
Ducharm), Janice Hurry (Mickey Davison)
and Tanya Hurry (David Collins). He had six
grandchildren – Kelson, Sarah and Owen Burns, and Dr. Kate
Collins (Siavash Farazman), Amy Fraser (Andrew Fraser) and Sam
Collins. He had one great grandson, Logan Farazman. Carman was
predeceased by his brother, Wayne (Florence), Wasaga Beach, Ontario,
and is survived by his brother, Ronald (Claudette), Alfred,
Ontario.
Carman was a
past president of United Alumni Association of Pine Hill Divinity
Hall, a longtime member of its Executive, and in 2004 was elected
Alumnus of the year. He chaired Pine Hill Sites Marking Committee.
Carman retired in 1996 and he and Alice took up residence in Truro. He
was active in pursuing his hobbies of gardening and fishing. He has
supplied pastoral charges in Truro and Pictou Presbyteries and in the
Bermuda Synod. An active participant each year in the United Church
Camp Meeting Association, Carman served as Superintendent of Worship.
In Truro Presbytery he was chair of Records and Archives, a member of
Pastoral Relations and Pastoral Oversight Committee, a member of
Theology and Worship Committee, and a member of Property and Finance
Committee.
Owing to
Covid-19, a small group of immediate family will gather at First
United Church, 711 Prince Street, Truro, at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 3,
2020 for a funeral service that will also be broadcast simultaneously
on the internet. (Link may be found in the left column on
Carman’s obituary page.)
Arrangements
have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55
Young Street, Truro. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the
family by viewing Carman’s obituary on-line and selecting
“Send A Condolence” at:
www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Reverend Carman G Burns 19342020..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia