Francis J. Burnett

Slingerlands-Francis John “Mitch” Burnett passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, August 22nd 2012. He was born in Albany, son of the late Frank and Mary Skiba Burnett. Frank served in the United States Navy from 1952 through 1956. He was assigned to the USS Missouri (BB-63) and served in the 7th Fleet, during the Korean War. When the USS Missouri was decommissioned, Frank was transferred to the USS Macon (CA-132) in 1954. He was a key player for the Macon’s Basketball team, which played many of the European Olympic Basketball Teams and won the 1954 Fleet Championship Game. Frank was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer, 2nd Class, in March 1956. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the China Service Medal. Frank graduated in 1960 from Siena College with a Bachelor of Science, Economics. In his senior year, he was elected Class President, and was also elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He was a charter member of Siena’s lacrosse club and a member of the varsity golf team. After graduating, Frank attended Albany Law School before accepting a position at Sperry Univac. He continued his studies by completing a systems engineering course for Sperry Univac at Purdue University. For the next thirty years, Frank became one of Sperry’s (Unisys) most productive executives (and exceeded sales quota for twenty consecutive years). Frank was an active member of St. Mary’s Church, Wolferts Roost and Colonie Country Clubs, as well as the PACC. He enjoyed golf, swimming, football, traveling, and most of all, spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren (especially, at Mason Lane). Frank was a beloved husband of Mary Burnett and devoted father of Michael (Brenda) Burnett, David Burnett, Christine (Edward) Wilhelm, Margaret (Frederick) Clark and Francis (Oyku) Burnett II. He is the brother of the late Ann (John) Busta, Joan (late Carlton) Wheeler, Mary Lou (Robert) Hannan, John (Emma) Burnett, Eugene (late Elizabeth) Burnett and Patricia Burnett DiSisto. Brother-in-law of Ann Zullo and Margaret Zullo King. Frank is the cherished grandfather of Alexandra, Mary, Frederick, Nicholas, Chantel, Mikyla, Edward Francis, Grace, Francis and Glynis. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services Monday, August 27, 2012 at 8:45 am from the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany thence to the Historic Church of St. Mary on Capital Hill, Albany at 9:30 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Sunday, August 26. 2012 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Those wishing to remember Frank in a special way may send a contribution to Siena College Developmental and External Affairs, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211 or St. Mary’s Church, 10 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207.

Tributes

Francis J. Burnett

December 10, 1931 - August 22, 2012