Paul Russell Burns, Sr., 73, of Lake Placid, Florida, passed away peacefully with his three children by his side on Thursday, September 24, 2020 in his home following a brief battle with cancer.   Paul was the beloved husband of the late Karen (Chavez) Burns to whom he was wed for 15 years. He was also the beloved husband of the late Joanne (Mazzeo) Collins, the mother of his children.  Born in Boston, MA on February 4, 1947, Paul was the loving son of the late Roxie (Ramey) Burns and Thomas Edward Burns.  He grew up in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston Massachusetts. Paul was a lifelong Catholic after serving as an altar boy at St. Francis Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts.  He has been a resident of Lake Placid, FL for the past 19 years after retiring from the construction industry as a proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers' Union, Local 17 in Boston.  He enjoyed watching sports, cruises and loved to be with his family and friends, especially his grand and great-grandchildren.  Paul "Burnsie" will be remembered as always telling jokes, making people laugh and willing to help anyone at any time. Paul is preceded in death by his loving son; David, sisters; Peggy, Frances, Marie, Harriet, and brother; Tommy.  He is survived by his loving children; Paul R. Burns Jr. and his wife Kami of Paso Robles, California, Stephen Burns and his fiancé Diane Neuharth of Norton, Massachusetts, Kelly Evans and her husband Stephen of Norton, Massachusetts,  nine grandchildren, one great granddaughter, sisters; Roxann, Judy, and brothers; Johnny and Jimmy. A private service to celebrate Paul's life will be held at a later date. Paul's family has requested that contributions in his memory be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute through the Pan Mass Challenge: profile.pmc.org/KE0057