Dr. James Alden Burns 1941 - 2016NEW HARTFORD - Dr. James Alden Burns, 75, of New Hartford, died unexpectedly on Thursday, November 17, 2016, at Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare.He was born on November 23, 1941, on Wellesley Island on the St. Lawrence River, to Julia Harden Burns and the late Alden John Burns. He married Pamela Gibbo on August 10, 1963, in Malone, NY. Jim graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 1962, where he returned to teach math after receiving his Master's Degree from Syracuse University. He later completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Indiana University. Jim retired from MVCC in 2002 after 30 years of service as a Professor of Mathematics.He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pamela Burns; a daughter, Jennifer Burns Giaccio and her fiancé, William Rose; a son, William Burns and his wife, Hazlette; five grandchildren, AJ, John and Ashley Giaccio and Isla and Hollace Burns; mother, Julia Burns; sister, Judy Coeny and her husband, Charles; nephews, Michael, Matthew and Justin Coeny.Jim's love of his family and the St. Lawrence River defined him. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.The memorial service will be on Tuesday, at 1:00, at the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, from 11:00 to 1:00, prior to the service.Friends may consider donations to Save the River or any other .For online expressions of sympathy, go to www.dfwefh.com.