KofC 125 — Edward Burns

This is the first in an occasional series of posts leading up to the centennial in 2021 of the start of construction of the former Glens Falls Knights of Columbus hall. The building at the corner of Warren and Center streets is now the offices of the FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth law firm and Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. 2021 also is the 125th anniversary of the founding of the local Knights of Columbus council.

The victors in the annual Glens Falls Knights of Columbus Council №194 pool tournament got a feast, and the losers were in charge of putting on the “feed.”

Dr. Edward Burns, captain of the losing team in 1920, convinced Mrs. Richard Brown and a committee from the Daughters of Isabella to organize and serve the meal to the winning team, captained by Jerry Moynihan.

Perhaps it was his skill at delegating that inspired fellow members to elect Burns as Grand Knight in September 1921, the year construction was begun on the Knights of Columbus hall at the corner of Warren and Center streets.

Burns, a local dentist, was a former altar boy at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and graduated St. Mary’s Academy.

He attended Holy Cross College and University of Pennsylvania, and graduated Buffalo School of Dentistry.

Burns was a St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church trustee from 1950 to 1973.

On April 17, 1955 he received the St. Mary’s Academy Alumni Association outstanding achievement award.

His brother, the Rev. Daniel Burns, pastor for 30 years of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Saratoga Springs, presented the award at a breakfast at The Queensbury Hotel.

Edward Burns died Jan. 11, 1981 at age 90.

Sources: The Post-Star Dec. 14, 16, 1920; Sept 13, 1921; April 18, 1955; Jan. 12, 1981

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.