Karl R Burns was born July 2, 1928, in Watertown, a son of James D. and Mollie Carpenter Burns and graduated from Watertown High School in 1947.
He began his long association with Herrick’s Pharmacy in the Paddock Arcade as a clerk at age 14. In 1950, when the business was incorporated, he was named vice president. He became president of the pharmacy in 1966, purchased the building next door and relocated the business there. Herrick’s was purchased by Rite Aid in 1986 and closed after more than 150 years of operation.
Mr. Burns served three terms on City Council before being elected Mayor in November of 1975. As Mayor, he took an active role in assisting Fort Drum as it expanded in the late 1970s and early 1980s which led to the stationing of the 10th Mountain Division there in 1984. He supported the construction of the Watertown Correctional Facility on Dry Hill. He was re-elected Mayor in 1979 and retired in July 1983.
His many accomplishments as Mayor included building a secondary sewage treatment plant, completing needed sewer work, improving the ice arena, constructing a northside swimming pool and obtaining federal funding for a New York Air Brake Expansion. He was instrumental in bringing the Watertown Pirates baseball franchise to the City in 1981
He was married to Rosemary G. Lawrence and had two sons, James D. Burns and John P. Burns, and two daughters, Kathleen A. Burns Amelio and Nancy L. Burns Blake.
Mr. Burns died at his home on Paddock Street in Watertown on April 30, 2001 at the age of 72. He is buried in Glenwood Cemetery.
