Edward Robert Burns

April 28, 1937 - March 6, 2023

On Monday, March 6, 2023, Edward Robert Burns passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa, CA. Born April 28,1937 to his late parents Kathryn and Leo in San Francisco, CA. Ed was a native San Franciscan where he attended Polytechnic High School where he met Donna, his wife of 61 years until she passed on March 13, 2018. Ed was blessed with a large and loving family; his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ed is survived by his children Jim (Mary), Terry (Chris), Steven, Greg (Kimberly); grandchildren Kevin Blagdon (Rebecca), Brian Blagdon, Spencer, Carter; great-grandchildren Savannah Blagdon and Christian Blagdon.

Ed was an avid athlete, coach and teacher. While attending Poly Tech (19511955), Ed was an All City quarterback and all league baseball player. He attended Menlo College for one year before transitioning to UC Berkeley in 1956 where he played football for the Bears. Ed graduated from Cal in 1960 and was part of the last Cal Bears team to play in the Rose Bowl (January 1959) where they lost to the University of Iowa. Ed started his professional career at Sacred Heart High school in San Francisco where he spent three years as an assistant football coach and teacher. In 1965, he took a new job at Lowell High school in San Francisco as a history teacher and Junior Varsity coach. In 1966, he became the varsity football coach at Lowell. During his fifteen years coaching, Ed led his football team to several Turkey Day city championship victories despite being the underdog in most of the games. Ed was also recognized for his successful coaching by being selected as the coach for the 1972 North Shrine team in the 22nd annual North/South Shrine football game held in Los Angeles. Ed was able to lead North all star team to victory after a six year drought, but more impressively, he was the first athlete to play and coach in the North/South Shrine game. He was also the Athletic Director and coached the swimming team for many years without losing a swim meet. Ed had a brilliant mind for the game of football but underneath his tough coaching and expectations was teaching the players about the game of life that they would carry on outside the gates of Lowell High. He touched so many of his players through building confidence and leadership that has been life changing for so many. Ed also gave back to the community in many different ways. One example involved him volunteering for over 30 years at rival St. Ignatius for a bingo program that assisted many students in the form of tuition aid. In retirement, Ed shifted from the gridiron to enjoying life with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was always there for them still teaching and finding ways to help and getting a smile from them but as proud as he was to be their grandfather he taught them to call him “Ed”!

He will be dearly missed by his friends and family, but will always remain in our hearts. Friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, March 13th at 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave., Daly City. A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, March 14th at 10:30am at St. Brendan Church, 29 Rockaway Ave., San Francisco. Chapel service to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations to be made to the charity of your choice in Remembrance of Edward Robert Burns.