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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF STAR 46 / MARCH.APRIL.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM T ony Burns, a beloved member of the rink commu- nity, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. He was 43. Share your thoughts and memories of Tony with us on Twitter at @STARRINKS and on our Facebook page. Memorials may be sent to: Amanda Klinker-Burns Memorial Fund U.S. Bank of Forest Lake 320 W. Broadway Ave. Forest Lake, MN 55025 // I met him for the first time at my rink. I remember it vividly. Brisk morning. The smell of a 16-degree concrete floor. Lights were buzzing, providing just enough glow to help us shuffle about. He arrived. Smiling, as he always did. He shook my hand, introduced himself to the staff and took a look over the arena floor. He was about to turn my floor into a work of art — a Tony Burns masterpiece. He was about to dance. His partner, a simple 4" paint brush. Amazed, encouraged and humbled are a few words that describe how I felt watching him work. But most of all, inspired. Because no matter what Tony was doing, inspiring people was always the end result. He stayed to the end — every last logo painted and sealed. He glanced at his work. Smiled and packed up leaving a young operations employee…inspired. Over the next 13 years I worked with Tony on random installs and work-related projects. Every ice install will remind me of Tony and I'm grateful that I can hold onto that. I miss him. And his smile. —Cory Portner, STAR // If you didn't get a chance to meet Tony Burns from R and R Specialties, you missed a great individual that was a great asset to our industry. Tony left us too soon. He understood the arena industry couldn't stand still. He under- stood that our users were moving and we needed to keep up and make it safe. Tony's passion showed. Putting in a sheet of ice — it was our product. This is what we advertised, marketed and sold to the end user. He understood the value of a great paint job. Tony's memory was unbelievable and his humor and wit to go with it was a true treasure. He had great ownership in his ice sheet until he turned it over to you. He worked so well with whatever staff was given to him. He took the time to teach, educate, laugh at the small stuff and shake your hand at the end of the job and say "thanks." Loyalty was important to Tony Burns and his business model showed it. He treated everyone how he wanted to be treated. It made you, as a customer, appreciate that he understood the chal- lenges you were up against — and finding a solution was his job. What many people didn't know (because Tony was quiet about it) — he had a storybook hockey career. Tony played in two state tournaments for Duluth Denfeld High School and was draft- ed as the 87th overall pick in the 1990 NHL Draft by the Detroit Tony Burns: A True Treasure Sept. 18, 1971–Jan. 8, 2015 CEnter ice In memory of a rink professional , Continued on page 48 , Tony's smile, passion and enthusiasm brought joy to all in the rink industry and beyond.