Carlow’s own Ironside
Raymond
Burr born 21 May 1917- died 12 September 1993.
While searching for
information of Carlow for the IGP Carlow site, I found to my Raymond Burr, old Ironside himself. However
maybe not County Carlow born but he descends from good
Carlow stock .
Best known for his television "Perry Mason" and
"Ironside," Burr had a career spanning over fifty years,
including movie roles in such Hollywood productions as Rear
Window with James Stuart.
Born Raymond William Stacey Burr on, 21 May 1917, in New
Westminster, British Columbia the son of William Johnston
Burr (1889-1985).
His excess girt and his steel blue eyes dark brown hair
and a massive chest and a powerful built body were his
trademarks, but he had his ancestors to thanks for of these.
Three brothers came to Canada from Co Carlow in Ireland,
one brother Huge Burr went to Canada in the early 1800’s,
settling on the Island of Victoria British Colombia he later
moved to the mainland to New Westminster 35 mile from
Vancouver. He taught at the locals school for three years
while investing in the rich farm land nearby. Hugh brought
land in the Burrard Inlet he developed a dairy and fruit
farm, he made a profitable business selling butter milk
Fruit and vegetables to the ship docked in the Fraser River.
Raymond a part from his acting inherited his ancestors huge
passion for farming and teaching.
Raymond is the sixth generation of Burr from New
Westmininster, Raymond’s Grandfather Joseph Burr became a
saddle maker, later moved to the town of Yale the British
Colombia and joined the Provisional Police, later he was
made a government agent an moved to Ashcroft. Joseph cousin
also called Joseph work for the Prison Service in New
Westminster. Raymond Great Uncle Benjamin Burr worked in the
Federal Penitentiary. Most of Raymond’s early relative
worked in or had connections to Law and Order thought out
Western Canada. Joseph W. Burr, Raymond’s grandfather died
in 1927 soon after his fiftieth wedding anniversary, he left
his wife Mary Jane Johnston Burr, four daughter and two
sons. Mary Jane live to 102 years of age, her son William
Burr born 1889 was Raymond’s father, William younger brother
James b. Burr became the keeper of the first Insane asylum
in the area, his sons James Jr and Benjamin became a
Jailers. With all this family history in Law related
employments, it is not surprising Raymond Burr once he
became an actor excelled in Law and Order roll as he had so
many memories to call upon.
In World War Two, Burr served in the US Navy, serving in
counter intelligence, he was wounded while aboard a ship
struck by a Japanese Kamikaze plane of the coast of Okinawa,
he obtain serious burn and had to have 6 operations to
remove shrapnel in his back and shoulder , spending months
in a hospital in Australia. He was awarded the Purple Heart
medal for this action; he spent further visits to hospital
on his return to the US. In 1946 he was given his official
discharge from the navy at the rank of Lt Commander. His
Naval service was not widely known, and he himself did not
elaborate on it. (Source from his
Biography by Ona L. Hill)
In 1946, Burr made his film debut in San Quentin 1946
(1946). From there, he went on to act in more than 90 films,
the landing the role of defence attorney “Perry Mason” in
(1957) in the series of the same name made him a house hold
name. For his work on the Perry Mason he was award two
Emmy’s .
In 1993, he died after a battle with cancer that dated
back to his days on "Perry Mason", Burr died on 12 September
1993 at his ranch home
Source:
Terry Curran
- The information contained in these
pages is provided solely for the purpose of sharing with others
researching their ancestors in Ireland.
- © 2001 Ireland Genealogy Projects,
IGP TM
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