James “Jim” Burns
June 3, 1953 - August 4, 2025
Our dear James “Jim” Burns died on Monday, August 4, 2025, peacefully and gracefully, with his son Devin Burns Horzempa and his wife Frances “Frannie” Horzempa at his side. Jim died from complications of pancreatic cancer.
Jim was born in Newark, NJ on June 3, 1953. His parents eventually moved to Middletown, New Jersey and then to Edison, New Jersey. Jim was the oldest of 6 boys. Jim graduated JP Stevens High School and then went on to Seton Hall University. It was here where Jim met his friendship group of a lifetime and his dearest and most beloved partner and wife, Frannie.
Jim was a thinker, a reader of books, a historian, an expert in beat literature, a Buddhist, a philosopher, a feminist and a political activist. Jim was also a poet who wrote about his deepest thoughts and his observations of the world around him. He put together a few books of his poetry, which we now have as treasures to remember him by. Jim believed strongly in peace, social and economic justice and in creating a world where everyone had basic health care, enough to eat and a decent place to live. With this moral compass, he never wavered.
Jim met Frannie at a rally for presidential candidate George McGovern in Jersey City, NJ, on October 31, 1972 and from there they joined together in a lifetime of love, friendship, adventure, political activism, and joy. Jim and Fran moved to Sommerville, MA, where they became actively involved in anti-nuke work and shutting down the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. It was here where Jim met his next group of beloved friends; Rick, Barb and Bruce and Mariposa.
In 1984, Jim and Fran moved to Oakland, California, to continue their life of adventure. Jim loved the mountains and deserts of California, the weather, the people, the place. In 1988, his dear son Devin was born and thus started the next chapter of Jim’s life, the chapter of fatherhood. Jim absolutely adored Devin. He took Devin on his first “walk” when he was 3 days old, spent hours soothing him when he cried and spent many sleepless nights caring for him. As Devin’s childhood bloomed, Jim spent hours building Legos with Devin, playing with GI Joes, exposing him to the world of books and history and with Fran, taking Devin on many wonderful trips and adventures.
In 2000, Jim and Fran moved back to the East coast to be closer to Jim’s mom and for Jim to enroll at the University of Delaware and earn his Master’s degree in English. Since 2003, Jim worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware, teaching freshman English classes and writing/Honor’s classes to upperclassmen at UD. Jim loved teaching and research and gave his all to provide the best educational experience to his students. Over the years, he received many thank you cards and letters from former students.
In December 2023, Jim left his position at UD and in March, 2024, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. From this time forward, life changed. Jim took his diagnosis in stride, doing whatever was asked of him to get better. He suffered through chemotherapy, radiation, two bouts of delirium and septic shock, which ultimately took his life. Jim was never angry or depressed about his diagnosis. He did express to his dear wife how sorry he was that they would never have the retirement life that they had anticipated. Jim was sweet, kind, patient and forgiving. He was the best father, husband and friend that anyone can ask for. After Devin, Fran and his sister-in-law Lee, Jim’s heart was full with the support of Fran’s friends and family and their friends together. The constant text messages, visits, cards, phone calls and emails, kept Jim and Fran going and for that they are most appreciative.
We have many, many people to thank for helping us through this journey, but a special word of appreciation for John and Maryanne, who flew out from the west coast to spend a week with Jim in May; Bill and Dolores, who included us on their trip to the east coast last year and to Paul, for being with us for Jim’s first chemo and subsequent chemotherapy sessions. That was a life saver. And finally, a gigantic thanks to my dear sister Lee and our son Devin for their never-ending support and love. We appreciated so much of what everyone did for us. Thank you.
And finally, to end with one of Jim’s poems:
long nights
many were his
long days
under the lights of heaven.
but many more
were his long nights,
till the
banshee wail of sunrise
tore open the sky
to set him free.
Jim Burns
3/22/79
Namaste.
All services will be held privately.
Donations in Jim’s honor may be made to either PanCan – Pancreatic Action Cancer Network, 2101 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 3200, El Segundo, CA 90245 or online by clicking here; or to Food Not Bombs, P.O. Box 422, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 or online by clicking here.
John McGuire
He will be missed! Until we meet again on the other side…
Melissa Scheerer
My deepest condolences and love to Francis, Devin and their family.
May you look back on precious memories and find peace in knowing that He will forever be in your hearts!
Shawn L
Rest in peace Jim, may God carry you into his kingdom and comfort your loving family ❤️
Laura Vandenhuerk
Frances,
You and your son are in my prayers. I am sorry for your loss, but now he’s at rest and has no more pain.
Mary McCart
Fran & Devon… I am heartbroken to hear of Jim’s passing. Although we did not have much direct contact in our years after college, I was always asking about him through my brother, Bill. We were very close friends in college and even shared custody of our cat, Tequila (Jim named him that!). He was kind, gentle and loving – one of the most considerate people I have ever known. I take his passing to heart and am very sad. I believe that Devon was the center of his being. You could always see from his Facebook posts how proud he was of you. Fran, his love for you was greater than most people ever get to experience in their lifetime. Everyone who knew him was better for their interaction with him. I wish you both the peace that his love gave you and know that you will keep him alive always in your hearts.
With love,
Mary McCart
Mary Louise Tirpak Davis
I am overwhelmed with sadness upon hearing of “Jimmy’s” passing. Although we grew apart we have such wonderful memories of playing together as young children at Grandma Tirpak’s. Visiting your family in Middletown, NJ was so much fun. A favorite memory was that the “Boys” had a log cabin for kids in their yard…what fun. Auntie Ann & Uncle Jim were the best hosts. Peace Jim, Cousin Mary Louise
Bill McCart
Jim was one of my oldest, dearest friends. We met in the fall of 1972, along with several others, at Seton Hall. We all became fast friends and have stayed close in the 53 years since then. I moved to the Bay Area in 1983 then Jim and Fran moved there the following year, so I was able to deepen my friendship with them. They also got to know my daughter, Kiri, as a little girl, and I got to be know their son, Devin, from when he was born until they moved back east in 2000. It was wonderful to get to know each other as parents and to bond around how much we liked being dads, and its challenges, of course. Jim and I also bonded around our political perspectives, our love of music, and our wish to be a different kind of man than our father’s generation, particularly in relationship to women. As in any friendship, we had our moments of challenge, but we had a deep and abiding love and respect for each other that carried us through them. And what more can you ask for in a friendship? I feel deeply grateful to have had Jim in my life and he will always be in my heart..
Robert Swider
May peace be his journey.
Christopher Rzonca
Jim will be remembered always for all the things he was and did and for his unwavering sense of justice. Krystyna and I think of him often. We both send our sincerest condolences to Fran and Devin. Peace & Love, Chris & Krystyna