Oh no, tried to get in  contact with Gil last week(June 2014) by letter. Didn´t here from Gil longer time. We was my letter friends for about 20 years, sending Photos and letters many times. Rest in peace my friend  Eddie from Fürstenfeldbruck Germany

I was shocked and very saddened to learn now Gil's passing. He was a good friend of me and i was proud to become in contact with him thanks an german veteran of WWII... 
Good bye Gil, au revoir mon Ami

I am deeply saddened to learn of Gil's passing. Gil flew P47's with my Uncle in WWII. I would call him every Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I just tried to call to thank him for his love and dedication to our great country…  and his number was disconnected. I have may letters and pictures from Gil.  Gil first contacted me back in 2001 after the passing of my uncle - which I had posted on a P47 website. Truly a great friend to my Uncle and me!  I hope Fran is doing ok... he would always tell me about doing the "jitterbug" with Fran on Sundays and to take my vitamins - and don't drink the tap water! I feel truly blessed to have had an opportunity to know Gil - one of the best men - from the Greatest Generation! God Bless old friend - may you rest in eternal peace - I will always treasure our conversations! Love, Tom Daly

I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Gil's passing. Not that his life was cut short, far from it, and in spite of what seemed like a life of minimal means, he was a man of great wealth. Wealth of joy, love, character, life experience, and, in general, all the characteristics that made our greatest generation just that. It was more of a shock that I will no longer see his huge smile, his sharper than his age should allow wit, his belly-depth laugh, etc., etc. He's flying at that height that he probably always wished he could but was impossible until now. Most of my interaction with him was his glee at watching me dance at Pete's blues jam when I would have preferred compliments on my drumming. Nope. Gil's opinion is, in my mind, omnipotent. I am a better dancer than drummer and I am happy to have been recognized as such by him. He could certainly still cut a rug with Francis so I considered that high praise. Francis, I know your pain is excruciating but please take some solace in that time you did have with Gil, know that he does not want you to suffer, and that you will be together again. Try to continue your life as he would want you to with the support of all of us who knew Gil and you. Call me anytime. 781-858-4292. Godspeed Gil. My brief interaction with you was unforgettable and I just wish we could have cloned you a couple million times. See you soon.
Chip

Gil, Francis and I met about five years ago at John Stones Inn in Ashland.  Gil and Francis always sat at their favorite table near the band.  He would decide what song he wanted to dance to and she would wait for his hand.  they glided over the floor to many blues and slow rock songs and Francis would be many turns while Gil glided her around the floor.  We became friends and he shared his beautiful hand made cross collection with us and the fact that he wrote a book about his life.  the owners of John Stones found out about his heroic history as a pilot in WW11 and framed a picture of him in his plane and put it over the table where they sat.  as musicians, lovers of music and diners came in on Sunday night they would be greeted by Gil and Francis by the front door in their favorite seats.  I am proud to have known him and will remember him with great respect and love.  Marcia Wiles

OBITUARY

Gilbert C Burns Jr.

March 11, 1922 – August 25, 2013

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services - Massachusetts

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