| Sources |
- [S25] 1930 US Federal Census, (www.ancestry.com).
Name: Sylvesta Burkard
Home in 1930: Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
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Age: 0
Estimated birth year: abt 1929
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Sylvester
Mother's Name: Renilda
Race: White
- [S927] Obituary.
Sylvester Peter "Pete" Burkhart
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AUGUSTA -- Sylvester Peter "Pete" Burkhart lived a very full life from Oct. 22, 1929, to Feb. 2, 2011, until long-term kidney failure finally got the best of him. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and he was a huge Steelers fan.
He was married for 53 years to Mary Eleanor Burkhart, who passed away in 2005. His daughter, Mary Alyce Burkhart, Ph.D.; his son-in-law, Kevin Polk, Ph.D.; and his grandchildren, Brendan Sean Burkhart Polk, Mary Eleanor Burkhart Polk and Elizabeth Ann Burkhart Polk, survive him. He was also the proud "Papap" of Joseph Faucher and Kenneth Moore.
Pete served in the Army before attending the University of Pittsburgh. He became an electrical engineer who helped put the first telecommunications satellite into orbit. He was very proud to have worked on some of the first patents for the touchscreen devices many of us use today. He also championed the use of fiber optic cables when others hesitated. In retirement, he was a hospice volunteer.
He was a devout Catholic and enjoyed his many talks with priests over the years. He "adopted" Father Brendan, a missionary priest from Ireland who served in the Philippines, and they were fast friends for decades. Recently, he enjoyed his long talks with Father Kevin Martin and was ecstatic when they prayed together in his final days.
Pete was an extraordinarily proud father and grandfather, and he showed his great love for his family, friends and humanity on a daily basis. After he retired and moved into Gray Birch Assisted Living Center, he continued to give the gift of kindness to others.
He loved and adored his roommate, Henry Legasse. Each Christmas he grew his white beard and played Santa Claus to children of all ages, and he was the spitting image of Santa, with his jolly round nose and wonderful laugh. He traveled the halls of Gray Birch daily, telling his stories to all. He was especially proud of once doing a "survey" of what Scottish men wore under their kilts. On Tuesdays, he opened "Pete's Massage Parlor," where he used an electric massager on all who needed a little TLC. Pete always had an endless supply of TLC for everyone.
To say that Pete was larger than life and a character would be an understatement of magnificent proportion. All who met him were given the gift of his charm and love of people. He often commented that he thought the Lord had put him on this Earth to make others happy. By all accounts, he succeeded.
There will be no visiting or services at this time. Burial will take place at a later date in the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, where condolences to the family may be sent to www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
Published in Kennebec Journal on February 4, 2011
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1929 - 2011 (81 years)
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