Gary Burda
Gary Walter Burda
At age 61, Gary passed into his eternal life at his home, surrounded by his loving family and dear friends, on Feb. 6, 2008, after a prolonged illness. Gary graduated from Duquesne High School where he was a stellar football and baseball athlete, which resulted in his being awarded a scholarship to Eastern Kentucky State College. Gary entered the U.S. Navy where he was an honor guard on the USS Constitution for one year. He then entered U.S. Navy Corp School and served his country in Vietnam as a U. S. Navy corpsman on the med evac helicopters and hospital ship USS Okinawa. Gary served as a Paramedic Board Member at Duquesne Emergency Medical Service, an AHA Instructor, friend, humanitarian and mentor to countless EMS providers. In addition to his service at Duquesne EMS, Gary also served as a Paramedic in the communities of West Mifflin and McKeesport and was a Paramedic at sandcastle water Park through Central Ambulance service. Gary retired from western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic after 22 years of service. He coached for the Duquesne Baseball Association & James Lavelle Basketball Coach. Gary should be remembered for his keen wit, personality and gentle touch and caring heart. He was a friend to all and a mentor to many. Gary is survived by his best friend and cherished wife of 37 years, Rosemarie Fagan Burda. The pride of his life, his children, Dana Marie Burda of Homestead and Joshua Burda at home, his mother-in -law, Rose Fagan, "brother" -in-law Ed (Patty) Fagan of Duquesne, brother-in-law John Fagan and Glenn of Clearfield, niece and Goddaughter Sherry (Tony) Pinneri, nephew Ed Fagan and Rachel, great nieces & nephews, Cody, Luke and Madison Rose Fagan, Tony and Jordan Pinneri and stepfather Ray Simeral; also aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Alice Simeral and his father Walter Burda.
