Joseph L. Burns passed away at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport on Monday, April 13, 2009. He was 85 years of age. Joseph was born in Boston to the late Joseph H. & Lorraine (Daoust) Burns, raised in Malden and went to the Chevrus School in Malden. Mr. Burns served in the US Navy during WWII for 5 years. After his discharge from the US Navy, Joseph attended school to finish his GED, received his Massachusetts Journeyman in Plumbing, his Masters in Plumbing and associates in teaching. . He worked for R.H. Curry Plumbing in Melrose for 15 years, K.J. Quinn for 3 years before becoming a teacher. Mr. Burns taught plumbing during the day at Lynn Technical for several years and at the Northeast Regional Technical School in Wakefield at night. He was a member of the Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12 in Boston for 25 years, the Lynn Teachers Local 1034 for 4 years and a longtime member of the VFW Harold O'Young Post #2394 in Melrose, where he served as past commander. Joseph lived in Melrose for 35 years, Englewood, Florida for 10 years and the past 9 years in Seabrook, NH. He enjoyed summering at Brant Rock in Marshfield for 10 years, was an avid reader and like spending time at the Seabrook Library. Joseph was the beloved husband of the late Gloria G. (Campbell) Burns. Loving father of Wendy E. Davis & her late husband Robert of Haverhill, Nancy J. Lear & her husband Robert of Malden, Joseph J. Burns & his wife Gail of Malden, Patrice A. Hickey & her husband Tim of Salem, NH and Thomas F. Burns & his wife Teresa of Medford. Cherished grandfather of Nicole, Amanda, Lauren, Janine, Mikayla, Emily, Joseph & Jacob. Loving great grandfather of Sarah, Ryan & Olivia. Also survived by several brothers, sisters, nieces & nephews. A funeral service will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Friday, April 17th, at 10AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Thursday, April 16th from 4-8PM. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made to the Seabrook Library, 25 Liberty Ln., Seabrook, NH 03874