Obituary of Donald J. Burghardt

Obituary Donald J. Burghardt April 1, 1931-March 29, 2020 Donald J. Burghardt, 88, of Silver Creek, NY went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday evening, March 29, 2020, at UPMC Hamot Hospital in Erie, Pa. He was born on April 1, 1931, in Buffalo, N.Y., the son of the late William and Dorothy (Roty) Burghardt. His family owned an amusement park in Sunset Bay and he spent many hours working there with his parents, sister Dorothy, Phyllis and his family. On February 3, 1951 he married the love of his life Phyllis Korn at St. Joseph’s University Church in Buffalo. They met at age 16, shared the same birthday, one year apart, and had been together ever since. Don was the owner and operator of the former Taylor Rental, Mini Maxi Storage, and Custom Lab Specialties in Sheridan, NY. Don was a Charter Member of the Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Co No.1 and also served the company as the elected Fire Chief from 1955-1957. He belonged to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church in Silver Creek where he was a member of the Holy Name Society, Parish council and started the Junior Holy Name Society. He was also a former Boy Scout Leader, founding member and officer of the WNY Rental Association and current member of the Silver Creek Senior Citizens Club. He spent the majority of his life inventing, having many inventions patented, constructing and traveling throughout the United States. He had a passion for wood and began carving and turning in his early 60’s. His other interests included fishing, golfing, playing cards and games and puzzles. Don was known for his storytelling and his gift of problem solving, he could fix almost anything. Always enjoying the outdoors, Don and Phyllis spent their later years in Arizona in the winter but were always anxious to arrive home in April to prepare for their flock of purple martins and multitude of hummingbirds which they enjoyed for the last 50 years. Don lived every day to it’s fullest, lovingly nicknamed “the energizer bunny” by his family. In addition to his beloved wife of 69 years, Phyllis Burghardt, Don is survived by a son, Michael (Judy) Burghardt of Silver Creek; three daughters, Susan (Daniel) Phillips of S. Otselic, NY, Bonnie ( Robert) Matteson of Silver Creek and Becky (John) Williams of Cheektowaga, NY, daughter-in-law, Eileen (Larry) Kelderhouse; nine cherished grandchildren, Amy (Scott) Schulte, Kara (Brandon) Schieber, Jodi Burghardt, Mark (Terry) Phillips, Bill and Charlie Phillips, Jaimee (Bob) Klawon, Noah and Lily Williams; nine great grandchildren, Scott, Jeremy, Isabella, Daniel, Amelia, Paige, Emma, Ryan and Jonathan. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Mark Burghardt and a sister Dorothy Jones. A Memorial Mass and a Celebration of Don’s life will be announced at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions in Don’s memory to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church, St. Columban’s, Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Co., or Hanover Center Volunteer Fire Co. To share a condolence or remembrance with Don’s family, go to www.holeparkerfc.com To send flowers to Donald's family, please visit our floral store.