03/30/2026
It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of a man who was a true institution here at Sewell Hardware. Our colleague and friend, Michael Burns has been called home.
There is so much I could say about Mike. When he first arrived at Sewell Hardware some 28 years ago he learned the business from a crew Mike called "the last of the true hardware men," and that also describes Mike Burns. He was great at what he did with door hardware. But that was really just one small side of Mike Burns. Mike, as I learned over my time here, was a true musician although he might tell you all he did was play bass guitar. Mike was a father and a loving husband; his family meant everything to him. Mike was a man of faith who respected people from every walk of life. He was a good man and a good friend.
Mike, we will miss your morning grumbles before coffee, we will miss your corny jokes, we will miss your stories about music history, we will miss your wry grin and understated cool demeanor. Rest easy now brother, we will see you on the other side...
"And these streets, quiet as a sleeping army send their battered dreams to heaven, to heaven, to the mother's restless son. Who is a witness to, who is a warrior, who denies his urge to break and run. Who says hard times, I am used to these, the spinning planet burns, I am used to this, my life's so common it disappears, and sometimes, even music, cannot substitute for tears."
-Paul Simon, The Cool, Cool River
