Richard N. Burne

Richard N. "Dick" Burne, 76, of Waverly Avenue, Clarks Summit, died Monday at home.

Born Jan. 19, 1933, in Scranton, he was the youngest son of the late James R. "J.R." and Florence McCloskey Burne. Raised in the Green Ridge section of Scranton, he attended St. Paul's School and was a 1951 graduate of Scranton Central High School. He attended the University of Scranton prior to joining his family's business, Burne Oldsmobile Co., in 1952, and he became a partner shortly thereafter.

A one-time avid motorcycle enthusiast, having owned several Triumph, Norton and Honda motorcycles in the 1960s and '70s, he had foresight and vision into the emerging foreign automobile market and was the driving force behind his family's acquisition of the Honda automobile franchise in 1970, one of the first and still family-owned Honda dealerships in the country. In 1989, the Burne family business expanded to include Cadillac, and Dick was appointed president and dealer principal. Later, in 1997, he was key in establishing with his son, the late R. Matthew "Matt" Burne, the new Burne Honda Co. that has achieved dynamic growth and received numerous national awards from American Honda Motor Co. In 2005, the dealership was rededicated in his son's honor and became Matt Burne Honda. Dick served as CEO until his untimely passing.

Dick was a self-taught and unparalleled authority in the amateur radio field and community, a hobby about which he was exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate. He was the owner/operator of the local 2 meter repeater, better known as "Double 0" (147.000), that bore his own personal call letters, K3KAW, and was based on West Mountain. This repeater has been instrumental in assisting with emergency and civil defense communications over the past 30 years. Dick was a licensed amateur radio operator for more than 50 years and could always be identified around town by the various antennas on his vehicles.

Dick had many passions in addition to HAM radio, one of them being his unyielding love of music, particularly jazz. A friend to all in the local music community, Dick helped many aspiring musicians and vocalists, including Clarence Spady, get their start by assisting with and recording their "demo tapes" in his home music studio, where he worked and toiled endlessly. He possessed a great and natural musical ear and the self-taught technological expertise to put it all together.

Of late, Dick became an outspoken and dedicated suicide prevention advocate who was committed to educating and enlightening others about this very important issue in an effort to prevent and curb suicide and improve inpatient safety for those in crisis.

Dick's greatest passion, however, was his family. A devoted, loving and supportive father and grandfather, there was nothing he didn't do and wouldn't have done for his children and grandchildren. His ability to love deeply and unconditionally, while allowing his loved ones the freedom and respect to grow in each one's own chosen direction, was a precious gift he bestowed upon them all. He was adored and will be missed most deeply by those he most deeply loved and touched.

Dick will be remembered vividly and missed profoundly for his unyielding generosity, quick wit and sharp sense of humor, his tenacity and intelligence, his unassuming existence, his charm, his zest for life and, most of all, his always young-at-heart spirit and attitude.

Surviving are two daughters, Denise Burne Fein and husband, Bob, Moorestown, N.J.; and Shelley Burne Gentner and husband, Mark, Washington, N.C.: his two beautiful and adoring grandsons, Nicholas and Lucas Burne Fein, both of Moorestown; a brother, Francis A. Burne, Scranton: and numerous nieces and nephews. He was formerly married to Corrine Vitali (Burne) of the Tripp Park section of Scranton.

He was also preceded in death by his beloved son, R. Matthew Burne; two sisters, Mary Burne and Elizabeth "Betty" Burne Gibbons; and two brothers, Bart E. and James P. Burne.

Funeral services and Mass will be Tuesday, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Snows Church, Clarks Summit. Those planning to attend the funeral Mass on Tuesday morning are asked to go directly to the church. Entombment will be in the Burne family mausoleum in Cathedral Cemetery.

Friends may call Monday, 4 to 8 p.m., in the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, 18509.