Martin (Marty) Charles Burns, son of Martin R. and Kathleen A. (Woods) Burns, passed away on January 24, 2021 with his devoted wife and daughter by his side. Marty survived tonsillar cancer, but was then diagnosed with brain and lung cancer. After a seventeen month battle, Marty decided it was time to earn his wings.

Born October 28, 1964 in Portsmouth N.H., Marty was raised in the Portsmouth and Eliot area as a child. In 1984, Marty obtained his GED and enlisted in Boot Camp for USMC in Parris Island, S.C. During those six years he fought in desert storm, and left the military as a LCprl.

In 1995 Marty obtained employment at Highliner Foods, Inc. where he primarily worked as an autopak mechanic. However, Marty was known as an "expert" and trained others on how to make repairs. Marty was forced to retire at his 25 year mark due to a terminal diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

Marty is remembered as a genuine, caring and trustworthy man. He was also known for being a "kid at heart" as he love to see people laugh and enjoy themselves. He was also "a people pleaser" when it came to his free time and his sense of humor. Marty thrived on helping someone in a pinch or helping turn someone's day around on those bad days we all have. Most people knew or called him "Uncle Marty" because of his loving nature. Being a foster child, Marty was a firm believer that "everyone should have someone."

Marty was a fan of football, especially Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He also enjoyed NASCAR racing with his favorite drivers being Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick. Marty traveled to P.A. to watch races at Pocono and Bushkill. He rarely missed a race at Louden, N.H. where he made a whole day of it with several friends from Highliner. Another hobby Marty enjoyed was fishing and the many hours he spent on the boat with his best friend, Kirby.

Marty is survived by his loving wife of fifteen years, Deborah; and daughter Suzanne Burnett of Kittery, ME. Surviving siblings include Kathleen L. Driscoll of Berwick ME., Mary L. Fernald of Portsmouth N.H., Jeanette T. Burns of Sandown N.H., Dena B. Burns of Bridgton ME., and Raymond W. Burns of Lynn Mass. Marty was predeceased by a sister, Neva A. (Burns) Suitter in March 2006.

Marty was proud to be known as "Ganka" by three very special children Ryan as his "Ryan boy", Austin as his "sweetness" and his precious princess Savannah.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the: Seacoast Cancer Center C/O the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation, Attention: "Seacoast Cancer Center" 789 Central Ave Dover, NH 03820.

Friends are invited to visit With Marty's family on Friday February 5, 2021 from 4-7pm in the Bernier Funeral Home, 49 South Street Somersworth NH, please adhere to all COVID-19 restrictions.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . Online funeral services for Marty may be viewed live On Saturday February 6, 2021 at 11am, by visiting https://my.gather.app/remember/martin-burns, they may also be view after by visiting the link.
Care for the Burns family has been entrusted to the Bernier Funeral Home.