David C. Burns

David Carroll Burns, age 69, of Lansing, NY passed suddenly and peacefully on Oct 15, 2023.

David was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan. 16, 1954 to Michael Thomas and Mary Ann Burns. He was the fourth out of five children. He attended St. Peters Elementary School in Henderson, NV and Bishop Gorman Catholic School in Las Vegas, NV. He continued his education at University of Las Vegas with a degree in Engineering. His MBA was earned at University of Redlands, CA.

During this time, he met his future wife, Lisa Claussen, and they were married in Las Vegas on June 5, 1976. That year they moved to Southern California and David worked with Aerojet Space Systems as an aerospace engineer. Three of their children were born there - Ben in 1983, Reagan in 1984 and Katherine in 1986. In 1986, he took a job with General Electric AstroSpace Division and the family relocated to Downingtown, PA. A few years later their son Sam arrived in 1989. David then transferred to GE’s facility in Princeton, NJ and family relocated to Doylestown, PA.

David was offered the position of Vice President of Asia-Pacific Satellite Division for Loral Space and Communications in Palo Alto, CA and so the family packed their bags again and moved to Fremont, CA. His life was busy with travel, family and home renovations during this time, but life was soon to change again. An opportunity arose in 1997 in Ithaca, NY to run Ithaco Space Systems and it was there the family stayed put. David moved on from the company and worked for L3 - Link Simulations in Binghamton, NY. When the facilities moved operations, he began work for NovaSterilis in Lansing, NY as CEO. During this time he filed and received several patents. Eventually he retired, but couldn’t sit still and pursued the dream of building a home from start to finish. He loved learning and was so proud of what he had accomplished.

David was known for his big smile when he entered a room. His large personality will be unforgettable and everyone who knew him had a story to share. He was so intelligent, full of humor and thoroughly enjoyed life. David made new friends wherever he went and he loved doing things for people. His countless interests included traveling, cooking, poker games, working on cars, home improvement, karaoke, giving advice, politics and many more. Whether he was skiing down the slopes, riding a motorcycle, or out on his boat, his idea of a perfect time was being surrounded by family and friends with a glass of wine. But his family was his pride and joy and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. The grandchildren all knew Grandpa’s chair and would climb on and join him there.

David is survived by his wife Lisa and his children: Benjamin, his wife Cori and their children, Grayson, Brooks and Laelynn of Towson, MD; Reagan, her husband Ramandeep and their children, Hazelle and Evie of Rochester, NY; Katherine, and her daughter, Elsie, of Lansing, NY; Samuel, his wife Tegan and their children, Remington and Blake of Lutherville, MD.

He is also survived by his siblings Michael Burns, Tommy Burns, Patrick Burns and Susan Burns Sharp; and preceded in death by his parents.

Services for David will be on November 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Ithaca, NY. A celebration of his life will continue after services at RaNic Golf Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.