Coach Robert “Bobby” Burns, 82, of Cazenovia, passed away Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton.
Born on Sept. 20, 1939, Bobby grew up in Monessen Pennsylvania, son of Robert and Mary Theresa Burns, and graduated from Monessen High School.
He excelled at playing football, which led him to a collegiate career at Arizona State University and then California State University in Pennsylvania, after the passing of his father.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education while amassing an outstanding football career. It was here that he forged and launched his lifelong passion and career as a collegiate football coach and NFL Scout. He worked for several teams to include the New England Patriots and The BLESTO Combine formed by the Steelers, Eagles and the Lions.
In 1999, Bobby was appointed by the NFL to work with the rebirth of the Cleveland Browns organization as the Eastern Regional Director of College Personnel. He then took a personnel role with the Washington Redskins organization.
In 2004 he retired from the NFL. His retirement did not last long however, as he was continually driven to coach and inspire collegiate players, which he did at Morrisville State College in Upstate New York.
Over the course of his career, he found countless ways to give back to the game and the community members that lived in it. His greatest achievement in this space was founding ALL East Football Academy, a free camp experience for kids in Boston Massachusetts and Charleroi Pennsylvania. He was a true giver in every sense of the word.
For all of his life’s work, he was inducted into the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 in western Pennsylvania.
Bobby eventually did retire in 2019 to enjoy time with his family in Cazenovia.
He is survived by his wife Katherine of 19 years and five Children – Jill, Jacqueline, Stephen, Lindsey and Michael. He also has 11 grandchildren, nieces and nephews and is also survived by his brother Edward and Virginia Burns. In keeping with Bobby’s wishes, a celebration of his life will be held this upcoming spring in his hometown of Monessen Pennsylvania. Donations in memory of his life can be made to the Cazenovia New York Volunteer Fire Department.
