Final Salute

Thomas F. Burns Jr., 74, of Pottsville, died peacefully Tuesday morning at home.

He was born Feb. 14, 1947, in Pottsville, a son of the late Thomas F. Sr. and Frances Yannacone Burns.

He was a 1964 graduate of Pottsville High School.

After high school, Tom join the Navy Seabees, where he attained the rank of petty officer third 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 muscle cars. They also formed B&K Auto Wholesales, selling at local dealership auctions. During that time, Tom dragged raced a Ford which won dozens of class trophies, and also won two elimination trophies and prize money from two local drag strips.

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. Afterward, 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 of the Pottsville Street Racing Association.

He was preceded in death by a stepson, Dennis Hewes.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra Shemansik Burns; two sons, Cory Burns and his wife, Rhianne, Pittsburgh, and Brian Burns and his companion, Cheyenne; grandson, Clayton Demcher; nephew and caregiver, 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 at 11 a.m. Friday from James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with Deacon Larry Lonergan officiating. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions 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 guestbook at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com.

Published by Republican & Herald on Oct. 12, 2021.