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Leland “Buck” Jennings Burnett Jr. of Springs died on June 11 at Southampton Hospital. He was 89.
Born on February 19, 1926, in Southampton Hospital to Leland J. Burnett Sr. and Lois Smith Burnett, he worked with his father on the family farm, instilling a work ethic that would remain with him his entire life. He graduated from Southampton High School in 1944.
Mr. Burnett enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 7, 1943, and was discharged from the military on October 29, 1948, having achieved the rank of corporal. He married Patricia Scofield on April 17, 1948, and graduated from an accelerated course of study in electrical engineering through the GI Bill at Northeastern University in Boston in 1949.
He began his career in engineering with Adler Communications, where he worked on a Saudi Arabian pipeline, and designed and installed 11 television stations around the United States. In 1952, he witnessed a nuclear bomb test in the Nevada desert to measure the blast. He also worked for TeleRegister in Stamford, Connecticut, where he designed the reservation system for airlines and railroads; later employed with Sperry in Syosset, he worked on a military contract to design the navigation system for the Polaris-Poseidon submarines. He completed his electrical engineering career at Austin Electronics working in research and development. In the early 1970s, he returned with his family to the Hamptons, taking on co-ownership of the Harbor Marina on Three Mile Harbor until he retired.
Survivors said Mr. Burnett will be remembered for his love of family and country, the backyard ice skating rinks he made each winter, his particular fondness for colorful ties, and being a fan of baseball and football.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Virginia Jordan. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Scofield Burnett; and five children, Cathleen Burnett of Missouri, Sally Pomeroy of Massachusetts, Susan Lee Burnett of Minnesota, Nancy Bormuth and husband Douglas of Southampton, and Leland Jennings Burnett III and wife Leighanne of New Hampshire; 10 grandchildren, James Pomeroy and wife Alisan, Thomas Pomeroy and wife Kate, Rory Sweeney and wife Michelle, Allison MacInnis and husband Tristan, Caitlin Sweeney, Kevin Sweeney, Stephanie Bormuth, Robin Bormuth, Melanie Burnett and Robert Burnett.
He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Avery, Tighe, Callan and Erin.
The funeral was held at Springs Community Presbyterian Church on June 16, followed by interment at Flying Point Cemetery in Water Mill, with a military honor guard.
Memorial donations may be made to Springs Community Presbyterian Church, 5 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton, NY 11937.
on Jun 22, 2015