Matthew J. Burns, Jr. & Barbara J. Russell Burns Fund

This fund was established by Mary Burns Lally as a surprise on the 50th wedding anniversary of Barbara & Matty Burns, her brother and sister-in-law. Barbara and Matthew both graduated from Wakefield High School, Matthew in 1944 and Barbara in 1945. They both continued their education after high school. Matthew went on to graduate from Northeastern University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He worked for the Town of Wakefield as an accountant from 1956 – 1995. Barbara graduated with the class of 1946 from the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and worked as a hygienist for Dr. Kevin McNeil DMD. Reverend Lawrence J. Burns, brother of the groom, married Matthew and Barbara on August 22, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Church in Wakefield. They had six children and now have ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The. Burns’ have always been active in community and church activities, including Wakefield Knights of Columbus Council 104, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #37 and many programs of St. Joseph’s Church.