Obituary of Joseph S Burik

Joseph S. Burik, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, PA, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, PA, surrounded by his family. He was born March 9, 1930, in Hostetter, PA to the late Andrew and Anna (Butala) Burik. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Mary E. (Lucotch) Burik; and an infant daughter Mary; He was the last surviving member of the Burik family. He is survived by five children Joseph J. Burik (Beth) of Greensburg, Lawrence J. Burik (Barbara) of Fullerton, CA, Chris Anne Taylor (David) of Greensburg, Dymphna M. Novak (David) of Greensburg, Caroline Walor (Thomas) of Mt. Pleasant; Nine grandchildren Jonathan Taylor (Sarah) of MD, Megan Lange of NY, Jacqueline Zarnich (Nick) of Coraopolis, Natalie Gordon (Craig) of Greensburg, Bradley Walor (Shanna) of Greensburg, Emily Trent (Garrett) of Tyrone, Craig Walor of Erie, Victoria Roberts (Mike) of Eighty-Four, PA, and Jessica Yeager of Carlisle, PA; thirteen great-grandchildren Blake, Cash and Zuri Gordon, Cole and Emilia Taylor, Colton and Tucker Trent, Bentley, Theo and Oscar Zarnich, Asa Roberts, Braxton and Caden Walor; a brother-in-law Mike Lucotch (Audrey) of Greensburg; a sister-in-law,Rita Lucotch of Mt. Pleasant as well as numerous nieces and nephews with whom he had a special bond. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force in Korea conflict receiving 2 bronze service stars. He retired with 38 years of service from PPG South Greensburg plant as a Maintenance Technician. He was a member of St. Florian Roman Catholic,United, PA; in which he was very active in all aspects of St. Florian Church and school; a life member of the Hecla Sportsmen’s Club; member of the United Slovak Club; and the First Catholic Slovak Society Jednota branch 181. He had such a zest for life. His goal was to live to 100. His love of his family was of the greatest importance to him. He was involved in all of his children, grandchildren and great-grand children’s lives. He kept his Slovak heritage alive by making his Easter basket food and getting it blessed and working with mom making halupki with his special canned tomatoes from his garden He loved his garden and being outside. He enjoyed golf and watching it on TV. He took great pride being in the air force and loved airplanes. He instilled in his family and everyone he met a strong work ethic, the love of God and serving the church. Rest In Peace Pappy Joe. You will be missed. We love you. Friends and family will be received Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Jay A. Hoffer Funeral Home, 2245 Mt. Pleasant Road, Norvelt, PA 15674. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022, at St. Florian Roman Catholic with Rev. John Sedlak as celebrant. Burial will follow at Forty Martyrs Cemetery, United, PA. Military honors will be rendered at graveside by the Armbrust Veterans Association. The family requests that memorial donations in Joseph’s name be made to St. Florian Roman Catholic, P.O. Box 187, United, PA 15689, where the family plans to donate a lasting memorial in his name.