Bernard "Sam" Burns, 82, of Harborcreek, Erie County, died peacefully at his home on Monday with his family at his side.

Born in Chicora, Nov. 3, 1923, he was the son of John and Stella Blatt Burns.

He was a World War II Army veteran, served in the 410 Artillery Group during the Battle of the Bulge, and he was awarded the Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty Award.

Mr. Burns received his bachelor's of science degree from Gannon University.

He was a member of St. James Roman Catholic Church of Erie and the Erie Cursillo.

He was a Barbershopper and participated with the Commodore Perry Chorus and various quartets. He enjoyed his family, fishing, hunting and golfing.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Angela Lubowiecki Burns; nine children, Mary (Bob) Luce, Phyllis Burns, Michael (Karen) Burns, Master Sgt. Margaret (Tom) Blais, Jane (Joe) Sicker, Steven (Denise) Burns and Patrice (Mark) Carnell, all of Erie, Rebecca (Donald) Dunford Jr. of Meadville and Teresa (Ray) Griffin of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

He also is survived by two brothers, Regis Burns and Robert (Ruth) Burns; five sisters, Catherine, Mary, Sister Theresa and Sister Margaret Burns and Patricia (John) Bogniak; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, the Rev. John, CSSP, Charles, Phillip, James and Thomas Burns; a sister, Agnes Maloney, and a grandson.

<B>BURNS</B> — Friends of Bernard "Sam" Burns, who died Monday, July 17, 2006, will be received from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>Dusckas Funeral Home East</B>, 2607 Buffalo Road, Erie.A prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Erie.A full military service, conducted by the Army Reserve and American Legion Carl Neff Post 571, will follow at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery, Erie.Memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Daycare Program, 2635 Buffalo Road, Erie, PA 16510.To submit an online condolence, visit www.dusckasfuneralhome.com.