Passing of a great man and great musky man

[MUSKY18]

It is with a very heavy hear that I write this. This past weekend, Jack Burns passed away. Jack was a pioneer in the musky world and a truly wonderful man. There are many musky fishermen that can account for their success because of Jack and the techniques he developed, wrote about and covered in various publications. He was a guide for the veterans on Operation Muskie, and it was something he truly believed in and loved. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will sorely be missed by all...........

[RK]

Hiya -

I started to post something about this earlier today but just couldn't bring myself to. Jack was killed in an accident this weekend. It's just terribly, terribly sad. I know there are several that frequent this board that knew Jack, and I've been trying to reach as many people as possible personally. The list of Jack's friends in the muskie world is a long one.

At this point memorial arrangements haven't been made. I'll share what information I can here. In the meantime, please keep his wife Mary and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Jack was a great muskie fisherman. He was a better man. He was my best friend, and I'm devastated that he's gone.

Rob

[MUSKY18]

Rob:

I will keep the information here up to date as well. I know how close you and Jack were, and my thoughts are out to you as well. He was a specail, special man.

[Scoot]

That is very sad news. My condolences to all of his friends and family.

[AWH]

Shocking news and very sad news for the entire muskie community. Prayers go out to entire Burns family and all that knew him.

Aaron

[DHanson]

Sorry to hear of this. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

[Shack]

This is terrible . Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He maybe lost, but I am very sure never forgotten.

[porterhouse]

Very sad!

Brian

[MarkAlm]

My deepest sympathy goes out to all of Jack's family, friends and co-workers.

[Cooter]

So sorry to hear about Jack, my prayers go out to family and friends. I never had the opportunity to meet him but its apparent he was a blessing to many. Hang in there Rob.

[cjac]

Sad news, best wishes to his wife, family, friends, and all in Jack's life.

I, like most of us, knew of Jack through the articles and teachings. All of us in that category owe a ton to him. He was teaching about catch & release before the phrase "C&R" was even coined. He probably had to write it up on a type writer it was so long ago, but is so present today. Talk about a far reaching impact....

First fish of 2010 will be water-released with a "Thanks Jack" wish and send off.

[Scott M]

Wow, that's really sad news. George Wahl and Jack Burns within 14 months of each other. Two muskies icons that did so much for the sport.

My prayers are with the Burns'

[Muskiefool]

There's so few that truly love the fish and even fewer truly good people, My prayers are with Mary and the family as well as those friends whom he cared for.

RIP Jack; I'll keep letting em all go.

[tweedlap]

My prayers go out to the family and all of his friends.

He was a great friend of the Musky community.

tweed

Lifetime Member MI TC

[DTro]

Very sad news.

Sorry about the loss of a good friend Rob

[nater]

Too bad to hear about that.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

[cbrooks]

My codolences to his family and friends. I only knew him from his articles he wrote and I always enjoyed them. His teachings will live forever.

[Brett Waldera]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and Jack's fishing partners. Definitely a sad situation for all whom knew Jack and all who called him a friend.

[mainbutter]

If there is any justice in the universe, he'll be reincarnated as a musky

Here's wishing the best for his loved ones during this tough time.

[jefflake]

Terrible thing........

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Musky Buck]

Terrible news. I hope his family and all those close to him can somehow find what they need at this difficult time. Take care all.

[SusanB]

I am Jack's sister and I wanted to thank each of you for your kind thoughts and words. I am filled with pride to see how many lives he touched.

take care,

Susan

"Catch a nice one...then let it go...Let them all go"

-Jack

[cjac]

Susan,

With all due respect to your brother I was going to pass on replying until those that knew Jack personally could reply. I am simply one of many that are a beneficiary of his efforts and passions and energies.

In the mean time I wish to send along my/our collective best wishes, thoughts, and prayers from those of us that didn't even know your brother personally but benefitted from his life-long doings and teachings and will continue to carry them out in our angling days.

Yeah, I'll let 'em all go.......

[RK]

Hi Folks -

The obituary from today's paper, with information on memorial services:

Burns, Jack Age 62 of No. St. Paul passed away accidentally on Jan 31, 2010. Jack is preceded in death by his father, Pete, and his nephew, Jake. He will be greatly missed by his wife and soul mate of 40 years, Mary. He will be mourned by his mother, Evelyn; sisters. Sherry (Jon), Sue (Chris), and Lisa (Doug); brothers, Steve (Jaynelle), Tom; and loving nephews and nieces. Jack lived life to the fullest, cared deeply about family and friends, and was a constant voice for making the world a better place. He volunteered with organizations including Open Arms, St. Stephen's Shelter, and Operation Muskie, a Lake of the Woods fishing experience for veterans. Jack was as compassionate as he was tough minded. Jack pursued a broad range of interests from history, politics, and basketball, to fishing and much more. Jack was a premier muskier angler, writer and editor, and spent much of his time in the Northwood's of Minnesota and Canada, where he found peace and energy. He and Mary traveled extensively to Europe where they enjoyed the history, the arts, and the people. Memorial Service Saturday, 3 PM Feb. 6, 2010 at St. Joan of Arch Church. 4537 3rd Ave. S., Mpls, MN. A gathering of family and friends will take place one hour prior to service, at church. Suggested memorials to Open Arms of MN or charity of choice. "Catch a nice one and let it go. Let them all go" - Jack A Guest book at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com Burnsville 952-894-5080

[HugoBox]

I held off on adding to this as I never met Jack and didn't want to steal any thunder from those of you who did but feel compelled to pass on my condolences at his untimely passing. I hope his family and friends have some peace in that fact that he lived life the right way and gave a lot to others.