It all started as a child using the cemetery as playground when curiosity started to get the best of John Burns. As he was playing with his brothers, he noticed a man named Joe Lupo chiseling the letters on a gravestone. John became intrigued and the next thing you know he started to carry Lupo’s tools around, which eventually turned into a part-time job. He originally opened Stonemasters in Newark in 1982 but when the lease expired he and Fred opened Burns Bros Memorials in 1987 on Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey City. Yes they have been there ever since, with over 26 years of experience.