John P. Burns, 76, passed away naturally and peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on October 3, 2026. He was born on June 7, 1950, in Fort Eustis, Virginia to James and Margaret Burns. After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University, he started an adventuresome 35-year career at Corning Incorporated that brought him around the world. He married Sarah (Xiaoling) in 1995 and together they shared a 31-year relationship of love, resilience, devotion, and grandeur.
John will be remembered as a creator of what he loved and as Sarah's soulmate. He was fully devoted to his marriage, children, and family. He was the maker of stories and memories—a determined seeker of special experiences which he always shared with his family. John’s legacy of love and resilience lives on in all those he touched.
John also loved traveling internationally and building. He constructed 3.5 houses, including one by hand, that are still loved by families today across Corning-Elmira, NY. He was a project manager, building Corning factories in Poland, Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Japan. To his loved ones, these stand as monuments memorializing his life and passion.
He is survived and endlessly loved by his wife Sarah and their children Charlene and Jennifer; and his children Kristi and Shawn.
A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception in Lowell, MA on October 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Tewksbury Funeral Home.