Last updated: January 8, 2011 11:30 a.m.
Fort Wayne City Council: Paul 'Mike' Burns' legacy of service will live on

Statement issued by Mitch Harper, Fort Wayne City Council president, on behalf of the council:

Former Mayor and former Fort Wayne City Council Member Paul Mike Burns passed away on Friday, January 7th, 2011, in the city he so long served.

As President of the City Council, I extend the sympathies of our nine members to his family and friends.

Paul Mike Burns served as a member of the Fort Wayne City Council from 1948 to 1952 and then continuously from 1972 to 1992. The span of his municipal public service on behalf of the citizens is perhaps unequaled in the history of Fort Wayne.

His service in each of six decades stands as a remarkable lifetime achievement and as a sure measure of the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens.

Paul Mike Burns served as a fiscal watchdog during his entire service as a city council member and as mayor. His style was dogged, assertive and no-nonsense and it was uniquely his own.

He was a true son of Fort Wayne and never forgot his roots.

Paul Mike Burns was blessed by a remarkably long-life. Yet, his passing on Friday reminds all of us that however long one's years, all things are temporal. Yet his legacy of service will live on past him and continue to enrich the civic life of Fort Wayne.

PAUL MIKE BURNS, 93, of Fort Wayne, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Canterbury Nursing and Rehabilitation in Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, he was the former owner of Industrial Wood Products, retiring in 1980 after 14 yers of service. He was a Fort Wayne city councilman from 1948 to1952 and served as the chairman of the City Council Utilities Committee. He continued on to be the mayor of Fort Wayne from 1960 to 1964 and later was on the city council from 1972 through 1992. He was best known for his conservative position in fiscal matters. He was a ham radio operator. He is survived by brother, Robert E. Burns of Okla.; sisters, Mary Ellen Maven of Fla. and Joan Veitch of Minneapolis, Minn.; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Helen Burns; brother, John Patrick Burns; sisters, Virginia Anderson and Carol Ann Burns. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2120 S. Harrison. Entry Prayer is 10 a.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home prior to the Mass. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, at Mungovan and Sons Memorial Chapel, 2114 South Calhoun Street, with vigil at 7:30pm. Burial in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flower memorials may be made to Crosier Missions and Trinity Missions. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.mungovanandsons.com