John F. Burns, 71 SMYRNA - John F. Burns, 71, of Smyrna, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. He was born Nov. 28, 1937, in Pottsville, Pa., the son of the late James and Mary Burns. John was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville, Pa., and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He proudly served his country for 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. He worked 5 years on the Philadelphia, Pa., Police Dept. and 18 years on the Amherst, Mass., Police Dept., receiving many commendations from both departments. He retired in 1988 as Chief of Detectives from the Amherst Police Dept. For the last 6 years, he worked security at the Social Security Office in Dover. He was a great teller of stories and sometimes was known to embellish. He was never boring! John was a member of the Amherst Police Relief Assoc., Amherst VFW Post 754, American Legion Post 2, American Disabled Veterans lifetime member, and the Smyrna-Clayton Moose. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 45 years, Patricia L. Burns (nee Leonard); daughter, Patricia Guertin; brother, James (Esther); brother, Lawrence (Mary Rose); sister, Catherine (Earl); sister, Mary (John); and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, at St. Polycarp Catholic Church, Ransom Lane and South St., Smyrna, where friends may call at 11 a.m. in the parish hall. Burial will be 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Nativity BVM High School, Lawton Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901. To send a condolence letter, visit www.delmarvaobits.com. Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.