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Edwin Burkley Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Burkley
Stevie (Steve Jr)
April 7, 2011
Hey Boompa. I didn't know anything about an online guestbook when you passed; if I did this wouldn't have been so belated. It was always such a pleasure having you around. I never heard you raise your voice and you were always so kind and full of smiles; just like Grandma Frances. I didn't know you as well as Heidi, Jason, or Karen; but I have nothing but good memories of you. I have alot of people to say hi to when I get up there now; and you will definitely be one of them. You were a great guy and I think from time to time how we would all be in the living room together watching TV or eating at the kitchen table; which you and everybody probably knew, was my favorite activity. I now know that you and my mother share the same birthday. Imagine that, 2 wonderful people born on the same day; I don't think that was just a coincidence. You make up half of my brother and half of my sister; I guess that's where they get their kindness from. I used to love going out to your house in the country; and I know know you were always happy to have us. My memory of you will always consist of you on the green couch with your legs crossed with your moccasins on watching TV. I wish I was older back then so I could've gotten to know you better. Either way, it was an honor to know you and I'll never forget about you and what you were to my dad, Heidi, and Jason and Karen. I'm sure Heaven got a little brighter when you got up there. See you when I get there.
Heidi Fletcher
August 16, 2009
Dear Dad,
Happy Birthday big Ed.
I can only imagine the joy and happiness that you share with others in Heaven. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you. Remembering your gentle heart, your kind words and the love and compassion that you held for everyone. You are truly missed.
We are all told that with grief and saddness ... "it gets better or easier with time." The question is, "How much time?" Cause, my heart hurts everyday like it was yesterday when I last spent time with you, heard your beautiful voice sing with me, when I last hugged you and kissed your forehead, held your hand, and then only a short time after that, found out that you had gone home.
Memories are a precious gift, and you left me with a lifetime of them. Thank You.
You were my dad, my friend, my life coach, and most of all my biggest fan. I will always be daddy's little girl.
In your honor, I try everyday to be like you. I try to live up to the morals and values that you taught me, I try to "Pay it Forward" to others, and I always, Thank God for all the Blessings in my life and pray for others.
As I lay down at night, when all is quiet and still, I hear the train, off in the distance and I am reminded that you are watching over us. My special Angel.
You will always have a cherished place in my heart that no one will ever be able to take. I love you and miss you.
Happy Birthday...
Heidi
Heidi Burkley
September 5, 2008
Getting the news that someone has passed away can be horrible. It brings with it many different emotions, and to be perfectly honest, it complicates your life. Decisions have to be made, travel plans, arrangements, flowers, what are you going to wear, what are you going to say, do you have a breakfast or luncheon???? It just goes on and on. During this time, you are also dealing with your own grief as well as the grief of others. We all know that there is only one way out of this life on earth, and that is through death....but no matter how much we prepare ourselves for that news, it still has shock value when you hear those words...." so and so passed away."
My dad passed away quietly on a Sunday Morning. I had seen him in June for the very last time. That visit was one of the most precious times that my brothers and I had spent with him. The past 4 years had taken a toll on him. He was pretty healthy for his age, just not mentally there. It was hard for him to remember. Remember just about everything and everybody. During our visit, all of us tried to spark different memories with dad...sometimes it would work, most of the time not. However, to see him smile and look into his beautiful blue eyes, made us feel happy. When we were getting ready to leave the home that day, dad was getting ready to take a nap, he looked into my brother's eyes and without coaxing, he realized it was his son Jerry! Then he went around the room and named everyone there. We said goodbye to him....and he said, "This was the best day ever!" Words that none of us will ever forget!
My nephews Mark and Kevin went with me a few days later to see dad once again. He was bright, alert and remembered a little more than he did the visit before. He sang with me once again, an old song from my childhood. He even stole my cowboy hat...
It broke my heart to have to leave him there. How I wish I had the means to take care of him. I did leave with a sense of accomplishment, and thanked the Lord for allowing me the wonderful time spent with dad.
In the weeks that followed, dad did some amazing things. He was getting himself up and out of bed, getting dressed, and walking down for breakfast. The staff even mentioned to the family that those visits did him a world of good. Jason, my son went to visit dad in July. Jay had a difficult time seeing dad in the state of mind that he found him in that day. Dad had no idea who Jason was. He even told his grandson, "It is too hard to remember!" This broke Jay's heart. Grandpa was a caregiver for my children for years when he lived with us, from 1993 until 2003. Boompa and Jason were best friends.
August 16th, was dad's 94th birthday. He received the gift that I had sent him that morning and was proudly showing it off. By two in the afternoon, he began preparing for his journey home. Refusing to get out of bed, not eating or drinking...showing signs of pure exhaustion. This lasted the entire week. His kidney's and liver began shutting down. By Friday night the family received the call that he might not make it through the night. But he did. Don and Joel tried to comfort him while the nurses tried easing any pain that he may have been in.
Sunday morning, at 6:12 EST he went home to be with the Lord. The news came via a telephone call, which was actually a "Blessing".....
We all have our own ways of dealing with stress and emotional issues...but having family and friends around made it much easier. Thank You to my wonderful children whose love and grace helped me say good-bye. Thanks to Les for working so hard that afforded me to go and for comforting me through the tears and the pain. Thank you to my family for sharing the stories about dad as well as sharing their own grief. Thank you to all my friends whose kind words will never be forgotten. To all of you....thanks for the love, the gentle hugs, all the compassion, and most of all, the prayers!
Rest in Peace Dad! Look down from Heaven and smile upon us, as we look up and remember the joy you gave us!
You will be truly missed, but never forgotten.
Your loving and proud daughter! Heidi
Some of the memories of dad!
August 31, 2008
Karen Bowen/Cammilleri
August 31, 2008
Dear Boompa,
Not a minute goes by that I don't think of you! You were an amazing grandfather and made a HUGE impact on everyones lives around you. You were like a second father figure to my brother and I. Whenever we needed you, you were always there. When we needed someone to talk to, you would be there to listen. I will ALWAYS remember the memories we shared. You taught me so much & made me who I am today. I wish you would have been able to meet my husband! You would be proud that I met such an amazing man. I love you with all my heart, boompa. You lived an amazing life & I know that you are looking over me.
Love Always & Forever,
Your Proud Grandaughter
Karen Bowen
June 28th 2008...our last visit with him. What a precious memory!
August 31, 2008
Don, Dad and Heid in our backyard in Las Vegas!
August 31, 2008
PJ (little Paul) Burkley
August 29, 2008
If the story's told, only heaven knows. But his hat seemed to me like an old halo. And although his wings, they were never seen. I thought that he walked on water.
I cherish the times I got to go fishing with my Grandfather. I know where to look for him when I get to heaven, he will be sitting on the banks of the crystal flowing river with pole in hand.
Jason Cammilleri
August 28, 2008
My Dearest Grandfather,
I Loved you with all my heart from the time I could see your big blue eyes Till now. May You rest in peace. Love Your Grandson Jason Andrew Cammilleri. Not a Day will go by that I wont think of you and How great of a person you were. Your My angel and I will try to be as Good of a man you were. I loved My Boompa. I know he loved me back. R.I.P Edwin G. Burkley.
James and Marilyn McQuery
August 28, 2008
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Les Fletcher
August 28, 2008
Big Ed...dad.
When I first saw those beautiful blue, gentle eyes of yours, I knew you were a special man! You came to live me and Heidi in Las Vegas, and everyday was truly a Blessing. I laughed with you, cried with you and listened to all your wonderful stories. You taught me grace, forgiveness and most of all that worry is an unnecessary verb. You read your Bible everyday and prayed to the Good Lord on a daily basis. We had wonderful times of fellowship together. I regret never being able to take you fishing and sharing those special moments together. You are truly going to be missed by your loving daughter and myself, Karen, Jim and Jason. My mom and Jim, and brother Larry as well as everyone whose life you have ever touched. I was honored to have known you. Rest in Peace dad, and may the nickle video poker machines in Heaven, treat you well.
Yaba daba doo.
Your loving son-in-law to be, Les.
ANTHONY RIVERA
August 27, 2008
DEAR JERRY
IM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF UR DAD MAY HIS WONDERFUL MEMORIES BE WITH U.GOD BLESS U ALL..
Pamela "Maue" Jirak
August 26, 2008
I am deeply saddened by the loss of a fine Uncle. May he find peace in paradise with my late Aunt.
Pamela Maue Jirak
PAMELA (MAUE) JIRAK
August 26, 2008
FOR A DEAR UNCLE. MAY HE HAVE
PEACE IN PARADISE.
Karen Salvatore
August 26, 2008
Ed was the kindest, sweetest man I've ever had the pleasure of taking of. He always had a smile on his face no matter what the day would bring, and he would NEVER complain. Music was his outlet. He loved to hum and even sing when he new the song. He had a wonderful gentle voice. Durring the Christmas season he would join us in singing a variety of X-Mas carols. You could just see he was singing with his heart and not just his voice.
Well his roots don't go far from the tree. After meeting all of his wonderful loving and caring children and grandchildren; I could see his kindness and gentleness in them. I also saw a strong sense of family in everyone. Heidi's strength and courage are truly mirrored by her father's strength and courage. Ed would truly be proud of the legacy he left behind. Thankyou for the time I was blessed to have with Ed; he will be truly missed.
My Sincere Condolences
Karen Salvatore LPN
Lois & Sharon Rodke
August 26, 2008
Dear Joel, Deb, Paul & Suzanne:
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Gloria Dennis
August 26, 2008
Burkley Families,
So sorry to here about the loss of your father/grandfather. He was a very good man. I will keep your families in my prayers.
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