Jean, you tough, strong, independent little ......well you know our term of endearment. I know you heard me praying for you to take Jacks hand and Unc, thank you guys for coming to take her home with you. She is a remarkable woman. I love and miss you all. See you when I get there, save me a spot in your circle.

Dad, I want to thank you, Jack and all our family members for taking Mom home today. I see you all the time around the house and in my dreams. Mom has missed you dearly. I see Jack in my dreams constantly. I'm very much at peace knowing you are together again.

Dear Kathleen Burnie Calder,
 I'm along time friend and we grew up together and have so many memories I sent a message in the guest book and I hope you receive it. It has been a very long time that I've been looking for you or your family, but I went on google and saw the obituary of your Dad and he was surly like a Dad to me. I hope that we can connect I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing but he was a wonderful man and now God has called him home. My condolences to you and your family. Please get in contact with me 617-462-2302  its been a very long time.

Kathy I'm still wondering what really would have happened to Santa if he had come down that chimney - I did not know your dad personally but I sure had fun listening to your stories about him I wish him peace, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Alise and I were heart broken to hear this news.  Ben took great care of our home at 42 Sterling Road in S. Harwich for 30 years.  He was so much more than a contractor.  He was a fabulous and loyal friend.  We always loved to hear his teamster stories and he almost convinced me to root for the Pats and the Red Sox.  Coming from NY you know how challenging that can be.  Our deepest sympathies go out to Jean and the family.

The few times I have crossed paths with Ben were always memorable. Despite his gruff exterior, his kind, thoughtful, and respectful nature toward me will never be forgotten. I never had a moment with him when he failed to make me smile with his acerbic sense of humor.  My dear and best friend, Kathy, was so fortunate  to inherit his forthrightness, kindness, loyalty, and sense of humor; collective traits that are rare and admirable. We all cannot stay on this earth forever, but to leave indelible fond memories such as Ben did, is a comfort to all.  My sincere condolences to you, Jean, Kath, David, Jean, and Richie.

To say my father-in-law was a character is not even close to explaining who he was. Dad wanted you to think he was a mean and scary individual but he was just a kind, caring, loving man. His love of family was evident by anyone that really knew him. I have so many great memories from Stoughton, Chatham, and the last 17 years that he lived with us in Harwich. I am going to miss his crazy stories and even his grumpiness at times. Dad treated me like I was one of his own daughters and I felt like he was a 2nd Dad for me. I will always love him and never forget him. ❤

Memories of My Father

As a small boy, I thought he was actually John Wayne in disguise. I remember being in the second grade, riding shotgun with him in a Brockway tractor, holding on to the dashboard, heading down to another terminal doing a drop and hook.He was also a proud winner of a truck rodeo held in the 1950's at the Brockton Fairgrounds.

Trucks were a huge part of my childhood. I was always helping him swap out engines in cars and trucks and doing clutch and brake jobs, though basically I was passing him wrenches while watching intently. He had the patience to teach me about gear ratios and torque; naturally, he was a great teacher when showing me how to drive tractor trailers. My father took the time to explain the finer points of the Road Ranger transmission, staying calm even when I missed a gear.

While Dad and I (the apprentice) built the house in Chatham, he taughtme many things about carpentry, particularly how to use an arcane and esoteric tool: a framing square. More importantly, I also learned how to avoid cutting off my fingers while using a Skil saw. We enjoyed playing pool at O'Byrne's after the day was done, talking about weight spans and load bearing walls while munching burgers, just enjoying being together.

In his younger years, while living in Stoughton, he was a Town Meeting Member, a Probation Officer, K of C member and a Sunday School teacher.

My Dad was very active in his beloved Teamsters Local 653, where he served for many years in the various capacities of Steward, Trustee, President, and Business Agent. He attended the Teamsters Labor Law Program in Washington D.C. While serving, among other things, he was an early proponent for equal pay for women and had a history of winning many arbitration cases. He enjoyed working with union and company lawyers while negotiating contracts, and he was ardentlydevoted to his members.

When Sue and I lived in Harwich he would often stop by, or call and ask me to meet him at the beach or one of his job sites. I have great memories of sitting for hours, alone with him while talking politics, current affairs, economics, past events and the challenges of making a good fish chowder, all the while consuming vast quantities of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

He ingrained in us, To fear no man, but be respectful of others. My father was a great conversationalist and quietly cerebral. 

He was a great teacher and a terrific father.

To Aunt Jean and my cousins. I just want to send my condolences on behalf of the Geary family [Rita"s family] I didn't get the chance to get to know Uncle Ben, due to being the youngest in our family, but the few times I did get to sit and visit with him, I realized just how much I missed out on getting to know someone very special. He was a down to earth and very informational person.    God Bless Him and all he had done for the average Guy.... From one trucker to another, Thank You and God Bless America and God Bless you Uncle Ben.  RIP....  Love the Gearys..

Memories of my dad, Ben Burnie:

When I was little, I thought he resembled Fred Flintstone, with his dark hair and solid build.

Later, it was Richard Burton.

At the wheel of the big Buick wagon, driving to Plymouth. Taking the back roads because Mom didn't like the highway. Always a long drive. Eventually making our way along the narrow dirt roads to the camp for a weekend of fishing and swimming. 

Dark sunglasses, black Bermuda shorts, holding a cigar.

Building the house in Chatham with his oldest son. Sawhorses, electric saw, hammer in hand. I associate the smell of sawdust with my dad.

Building an addition to our house in Stoughton, the neighborhood kids showed up and became his crew. Apparently, he wasn't thinking about liability.

Weekends were made for the Cape. 

Dairy Queen on summer nights.

Fishing on the waters of Chatham. Somehow, he only caught sea robins.

Quietly proud that he could take good care of his family. He found his way without a blueprint.

Behind the wheel of a Cadillac. Always willing to drive a niece or nephew on their wedding day. No need for a limo, they had Uncle Ben.

His deep voice scared a few boyfriends, but it was the best for singing Bill Bailey.

Always willing to drive me and my friends. Wherever, whenever.

Bowling leagues, horseshoes, and hammocks.

Master napper.

Teamster. 

A good dad.

We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.

A husband of 70 Years to 1
A dad to 5
A father in law to 5.
A brother to 5.
A grandfather to 13
A greatgrand father to 15
A uncle to 65.
A friend to many. 
Stubborn, Tough, Kind, outspoken,  best negotiator,hardworking. 
Instilled a great work ethic to his kids. 
Taught us to be strong , independent and never to cross a picket line! 
We knew we were loved.

Sorry to the Burnie family and friends, may Ben RIP. Always remember his type of sense of humor

My deepest condolences to the Bernie family !  Ben was certainly a great man.  I also loved the stories he had.  Rest In Peace Sir !!!

Unc, I always loved being your "brat." It was a prideful pet name. I always adored your one armed hugs that were bear like , loving and gentle all in one. My favorite things were your deep voice and hearing you sing "Bill Bailey" and when I could just visit and chat with you at a family gathering and smell your cigars.

Your famiy will be be left with such a void with your abscence. I know you were listening yesterday, and please visit me in my dreams. Watch over your family, ease their pain and sorrow by letting them know you are still with them, on an infinite unseeable plain, but still very much with them all. 
 
I know you were ready to go, and I hope  Jack and  Gin brought you home. I will always love and miss you Uncle Ben. Love your Brat, Graceann. 

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to the Burnie Family and Friends.

I only had one brother but having one like Ben was enough for any family. I wish I had lived closer in miles as adults.I have many fond memories of him. My love to all the Burnie families.    Evie

I only had one brother, but having one Ben  was enough for any family. I wished I had lived closer in miles so I could have spent more time with him.We all have our special memories of him. Loved to all the family.
 Evie

To the Bernie family,   Our heartfelt sorrow and sympathy for your loss.  We will miss "Ben" and his memories and conversations of the past at family functions. Truly an amazing person that lived his life to the fullest.  My he rest in peace

Jean, Richie, David, Jean-Marie & Kathleen...I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your loving husband & wonderful father.  So many memories comes to mind but I will always remember Ben as a "Legend" in the old neighborhood on Donahue Way.  Cherished memories you each hold will help you through this very difficult time.  Love, thoughts & prayers are with you always.  I'm sending a special hug & kiss for you, Jean.

OBITUARY

Richard Ben A. Burnie

November 30, 1928 – January 16, 2017

Doane Beal & Ames

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