George L. ‘Cy’ Burkhardt – Donora

George L. “Cy” Burkhardt, age 97, of Donora, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born Sept. 17, 1926, in his home in Carroll Township, son of the late Louis B.C. Burkhardt and the late Martha Ellen Hoag Burkhardt. He was a lifelong resident of Donora, and a loving, devoted husband to his childhood sweetheart, Geraldine Andrews, with whom he celebrated nearly 70 years of marriage. He has 10 children, 25 grandchildren and 28-plus great-grandchildren (with one more on the way!) At 16, he worked for his cousin, Frank H. Ries, later taking over the Ries Roofing and Heating business. He operated as George L. Burkhardt, and his three sons, Richard, Robert and George, worked alongside him learning his trade of 65 years. His wife Geraldine and daughter Gerry worked as secretaries/bookkeepers. George was a well-respected businessman, neighbor and friend. He was a member of the Donora Elks and the Mon Valley Home Builders Association. His large family considered him hard working, gentle and fun loving. He enjoyed gardening, playing his Hawaiian guitar, tinkering in his workshop building and repairing things, playing cards with his wife, country music, helping neighbors and customers, and long walks in the woods with his dog. He enjoyed storytelling of yesteryear’s fond memories, especially of the three-day parties at the old homestead, which he lovingly crafted a replica of the home he lived in. With his many woodworking and tin skills, he made many treasured keepsakes for his family to enjoy for years to come. His cherished memories also included the many Fourth of July family reunion picnics at his sister and brother-in-law Betty and George “Bud” Hixon’s farm. George especially enjoyed his 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries and celebrations of his 80th and 90th birthdays with family and friends. The special birthday parades past his shop/residence where the community acknowledged him by honking horns as they passed by and there were proclamations (twice) naming Sept. 17 as George L. Burkhardt Day in Donora. He will forever be sadly missed and fondly remembered as being “one in a million” … and a “buddy to the end.” In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Geraldine Helen Andrews Burkhardt; a daughter, Gerry Ellen Burkhardt Babines; a granddaughter, Sarah Nicole Burkhardt; and siblings, Edward Albert (Coos) Burkhardt, Anne (Leroy) Henry, Walter “Bucky” (Ann Lerner) Burkhardt, Thomas H. “Tim” (Hazel Mucy) Burkhardt, Elizabeth “Betty” (George “Bud”) Hixon, Edward C. (Pearl Lilley) Burkhardt and Hilda (Harry “Bud”) Rue. Surviving to cherish his memory are his children, Karen (Joe) Oswald of Windsor, Pa., Richard “Rick” (Deb) Burkhardt of Donora, Robert “Bob” (Debbie) Burkhardt of Florida, Judith “Judy” (Barry) Galiffa of Donora, Christie (Lou) Offerman of Donora, Barbara Burkhardt of Donora, Marijayne (Randy) Giovannucci of Monongahela, Lori Ann Burkhardt (his buddy to the end) of Florida and George L. (Kimberly) Burkhardt II of Florida; grandchildren, Joel (Dawn) Oswald, Paul (Sara) Oswald, Hope (Devin) Davis, Laura Lee Burkhardt, Chad Burkhardt, Lance Burkhardt, Dana (Tyler) Smail, Derek (Leah) Galiffa, David Galiffa, Dylan (Kaylin) Galiffa, Alicia Babines, Bryan Babines, Louie Offerman, Leighann (Tim) Sanders, Lyle (Amber) Offerman, Luke (Danielle) Offerman, Brandon Burkhardt, Brianna Burkhardt, Dominic (Michelle Satterfield) Giovannucci, Jeffrey (Emily) Giovannucci, Amanda Morrison, Josh Morrison, Matthew Morrison, Victoria Jenks and Ashley Burkhardt; great-grandchildren, Corinne Oswald, Christian Oswald, Kaitlyn Oswald, Evan Oswald, Ricki Davis, Rylan Smail, Taygan Smail, Lillian Smail, Deegan Smail, Marco Galiffa, Mia Galiffa, Sawyer Galiffa, Amira Smiley, Vivian Leeks, Riley Offerman, Georgie Offerman, Elouise Offerman, Jacob Sanders, Caleb Sanders, Aaron Sanders, Ivan Offerman, Everett Offerman, and one on the way, Nora Burkhardt, Gianna Giovannucci, Arya Giovannucci, Saige Giovannucci, Stone Giovannucci, Juliet Mesa, Aurora Mesa, Charlotte Zevallos and Lillianna Marcano; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements have been entrusted to ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, with Pastor Jeff Diedrich officiating. Interment will be at Mon Valley Memorial Park. To share a condolence, please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.