Obituary of Jeffrey Jay Burkard

 

Jeffrey Jay Burkard

April 1, 1954 to January 26, 2021

Born in Buffalo NY, to parents Eleanor Pittas, RN, and Nelson Jack Burkard, WWII and Korean War veteran, Jeff was the oldest of 3 children: Eric (Rosa) born one year later, and Wendy Lynn Warren (Ron) born two years after Eric. Jeff graduated summa cum laude from the State University College at Brockport in New York. He fell in love with and married a remarkable woman, Mary Murray; they were best friends for over four decades before she passed away on October 8, 2014. Jeff worked 32.5 years in several administrative positions in Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, and retired on December 31, 2017. In retirement, he lived in Florida in the winter and New Brunswick in the summer. One of his favourite quotes was, “I was too soon old, too late smart”.

Jeff loved life, especially shared with Mary and friends. Jeff could make people laugh one moment and engage people in serious conversation the next. He enjoyed asking questions about being human, and accepted the undeniable truth that all things change. He requested that the following people be listed in his obituary: (to him, they plussed-up the world for the better)

from ELP: David Hayward, Anna Marie Robinson, Darryl Nason, Colleen Meagher, Mary Ann Harrington, Natalie Cameron, Kim and Chris Hudson-Brading, Debbie Pepin, Darin Luke, Tara MacDonald, Lou Aube, Peggy Flanagan and Chuddy McCarthy

from Potsdam: Jon Hartman, Larinda Meade, Leo(x) Hastings, Joe and Fran and Liza Ambrosini, Walter Cogswell, Linda Jones and Eileen Driscoll

from UNB and beyond: Jaime Campbell, Leslie Harquail, Brandi Cameron, Chris Stevenson, Jim Born, John Meagher, Everette Grattan, Allen Brawn, Richard Stevens, Kay Robinson, Helen Loughlin and Uncle Bob

from Mary’s early days: Janet and Ed Young, Helen and Lawson Stockford, Catherine Callbeck, Nora Scales, Diana and Doug Carlin, Mary and Len Doucet, Kathy and Donnie Dalling, Phyllis Daigle, Peg Donovan and Clifford Skinner.

Jeff believed one person CAN make a difference, and hoped that through his actions, he helped make the world a better place. He did not want a memorial service after his passing, instead, contributions to the donor’s choice are always appreciated.

Jeff did make a difference.  His spirit will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of friends and family.