William Burns Losty
1893 -1967

William Burns Losty, is the youngest son of Matthew and Catherine Losty.  He was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts September 19, 1893. Everyone who knew him, including his parents, called him Burns Losty.  The name Burns is his mother's maiden name.  Burns Losty attended Holyoke's local schools and during the summer months, when he was old enough, he worked with his father Matthew in his Paper Ruling Shop as did all of his brothers and sisters.  In 1910, Burns was 16 years old and listed in the US Census being employed as a "Ruler" in a paper mill. He remained in school and continued to work for his father until he left for the World War.

On June 28, 1914, the beginnings of World War were underway. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo, Serbia. By April 6, 1917, The United States made a formal declaration of war against Germany and many men in the United States volunteered for the military service soon after this declaration was announced.

THE UNITED STATES ARMY LEAVES FOR FRANCE

"On Sunday night, April 21st 1917, in New York, two regiments, the 304th Field Artillery, the 306tb Field Artillery and Brigade Headquarters followed the night march of the infantry over muddy roads to a darkened station. By daylight all trains were moving. The 305th Field Artillery and the 302d Trench Mortar Battery took other boats some days later. By early forenoon, ferries from Brooklyn were taking the last of the departing troops around the Battery and across to the great German piers. New York looked magnificent that day. The clean salt air and the brilliancy of the lower city were contagious. As one boatload after another passed under Brooklyn Bridge, the men gave a big spontaneous cheer that swelled out over the water and echoed like a gun at sea." 

The "Dough Boys" enthusiasm was great in strength but their numbers were not. By June 27, 1918, one year after the first of the United States Army troops landed in France, the Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, began selecting draftees by pulling numbers out of a fishbowl.  Within two months, the limits of the draft age were lowered from 21 to 18 and raised from 31 to 45, increasing the number of potential draftees.  Burns Losty, age 23, was one of those young men. 

Burns was assigned to the 77th Field Artillery Division (Nicknamed - The Statue of Liberty Division) and sent to the Metropolitan portion of New York for training at Camp Upton in Yaphank, Long Island where he and his fellow comrades were issued French 75mm guns.  The 77th Division consisted of several Battalions and most of the young men were from New York.  Their Commanding Officer was Charles W. Whittlesey.  One of the last great battles of World War I was fought in the Argonne Forest and it is there the 77th Division became known as "The Lost Battalion"

William Burns Losty Returns from the War

Upon returning home to Holyoke, Massachusetts, Burns resumed his life in the "Paper City" and returned home to his parents at 1226 Dwight Street and resumed working with his father and brothers at Matthew J. Losty & Sons Paper Ruling Shop as noted in the 1920 Holyoke City Directory. 

Irene F. Bresnahan, born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on December 31, 1896, and is the daughter of Irish born Patrick J. Bresnahan and Margaret Lavelle.  Patrick and Margaret both immigrated to the US in the late 1870's where they met and fell in love.  More info about Irene's family. Coming Soon

In 1919 Burns Losty and Irene Bresnahan were wed in Holyoke, Massachusetts.  Burns was 26 years old and Irene was 23 . Burns and Irene Losty lived as newlyweds for three years during which time Burns' father, Matthew J. Losty, had retired his Paper Ruling Shop to his son George J. Losty and opened the Hillside Service Station where his sons Burns and Daniel worked for many years thereafter.

 

Wm. BURNS & IRENE'S FIRST BORN

On October 15th 1921, Burns and Irene welcomed the birth of their first born daughter, Mary Losty. Mary Losty married Arthur A. Burgess and from this union produced 2 of Mr. & Mrs. William Burns Losty's nine grandchildren.  

Learn more about Mary Losty and Arthur A. Burgess & Family.

The following year in 1923 Burns & Irene welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Miss. Irene F. Losty. Irene married Carroll Arnold and from this Union produced 3 of Mr. & Mrs. William Burns Losty's nine grandchildren.  

Learn more about Irene Losty Arnold. coming soon

In 1930, upon the death of Matthew J. Losty, Burns Losty became the sole-proprietor of the Hillside Filling Station his father built.  The Station was located beside his father's home at 1226 Dwight Street in Holyoke, Massachusetts.  Burns, Irene and their children lived just down the road on Forrestdale Avenue. 

Mary Burgess, formerly Miss. Mary Losty, daughter of Burns & Irene,  recalls visiting her grandparents Matthew & Catherine Losty

Click the image above to view entire image.

"The picture of the Hillside Service Station brought back so many memories.  My first recollection of it was when I was about 4 or 5. My father used to take me to the gas station and I would stay with Grandpa Matthew.  He would be in the back yard, behind the gas station, and he would be taking care of his flowers.  I remember his mustache and he was always smoking his pipe.  Grandma Catherine Losty had beautiful white hair and she looked beautiful to me." Mary Burgess ²⁰⁰⁴  

Three years after the death of Matthew, Burns and Irene welcomed the birth of their third and last child, Claire Losty on February 8, 1933. Burns was 36 years old and Irene was 33 at the time of Claire's birth.  Claire Losty married Nick Luis and moved to California.  Claire produced 4 of Mr. & Mrs. William Burns Losty's nine grandchildren.  Learn more about Claire Losty Luis

In 1946 Burns and Irene Losty were living at 287 Maple Street in Holyoke.  Their daughter Claire Losty was 16 years old and still living at home. Their daughter Irene F. Losty married Carrol Arnold and moved to Portsmouth, Virginia and their daughter Mary had married several years earlier.  Reference: Holyoke City Directory 1946

 

Burns worked for many years at the Hillside Service Station after his father passed away and also worked at the Springfield Armory and was a member of the VFW Post 801 in Holyoke.  He and Irene welcomed the births of nine grandchildren who spent many happy days with Burns and Irene in their home.

 

1951 Burns was employed with H. Mills Inc. and lived at 287 Maple Street

click the image above  to view enlarged version

When Burns died on November 11, 1967 in the Providence Hospital he and Irene were living at 87 Jackson Parkway in Massachusetts.  Sometime after Burns passed away, Irene moved to 286 Locust Street with her daughter Irene Losty Arnold and her husband.  

On April 25, 1988, Irene Bresnahan Losty passed away and was laid to rest beside Burns in the St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Obit