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Matthew J. Burda

Obituary

Guest Book

Matthew Burda Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Apr. 3 to Apr. 4, 2006.

BURDA
MATTHEW J.
Age 40, on April 1, 2006, of Shaler Twp.; son of Stephen & Marlene Burda; brother of Stephen J. Jr. & Michael G. Burda. Visitation Mon. & Tues. 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at NEELYS, 2208 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. Mass of Christian Burial Wed. 10:00 a.m., St. Bonaventure Church. Memorials in Matt's name suggested to Achieva "ACCPARC", 711 Bingham St., Pgh., PA 15233.
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Recent Activity

April 20, 2006

Regina Govachini posted to the memorial.

April 8, 2006

Melanie Carlisle posted to the memorial.

April 7, 2006

Kenneth Lindsey posted to the memorial.

18 Entries

Regina Govachini

April 20, 2006

I am so sorry for the loss of your son--thank you for the trail you blazed for other children with disabilities to be included in their schools and communities.

Melanie Carlisle

April 8, 2006

Dear Burda Family,

I work at the Showcase North Cinemas where Matthew came almost every weekend. It was always so nice to see his smiling face each week. Although I never got to know him very well, I always looked forward to him coming in and smiling and waving to all the employees. It always put me in a better mood somehow and made me smile to see his smiling happy face. He was such a sweet man, and we will all miss him dearly. He was a great customer and all of the employees knew who he was and are saddened to hear about his death. I will miss seeing him walk down our hall with his small popcorn and drink and then watch him be the first one out the auditorium door as soon as the movie was over. He would always wave good-bye to all of us and then be on his way. We will all miss this each week. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm sure that now Matt is in heaven, probably watching movies and making God smile. Peace be with you all during this difficult time.

Kenneth Lindsey

April 7, 2006

i would like to express my deepest sorrow to the Burda Family on the passing of Matthew.i had the pleasure working with him through programs of the Pittsburgh Citiparks Department. May GOD'S hold you and guide you i wish you peace love and long life

Kenneth Lindsey

April 7, 2006

i would like to express my deepest sorrow to the Burda Family on the passing of Matthew.i had the pleasure working with him through programs of the Pittsburgh Citiparks Department. May GOD'S

hold you and guide you i wish you peace love and long life

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Dana Rose

April 6, 2006

To the Burda family...i also felt compelled to write because i to graduated from Shaler in 87 and never knew matt personally but can very clearly remember passing him in hallways and him ALWAYS having a great big smile on his face. When i saw his picture i recognized him right away and felt i needed to write...i have never done this before so i guess you can say in some way he has touched my life that i felt compelled to send my deepest sympathy. It seems Matt had a fulfilled life.God Bless the Burda Family.

Laura Mares

April 6, 2006

I remember Matt from being a kid going to Kiwanas in the summer. Matt gave EVERYONE a smile and a pleasant hello. Times unfortunately have changed and society is no longer like that. I will always remember how happy he was, and just seeing him would make me smile. The world needs more people like him. The fact that he had special needs makes that even more special.

To Matts mom and family- god bless you for fighting "the systems" and winning to keep Matt as part of public society. Only you really knew him and knew what would be best for him. God bless you for that.

Greg McAtee and Family

April 5, 2006

Mr. and Mrs. Burda,

I was deeply saddened when I heard about your son's death.

I remember having Matt as one of my campers many years ago at the North Hills YMCA's daycamp program for special needs children, called "Camp High Hopes." I remembered him as a child that had a very infectious laugh, and one that was extremely bright, despite his difficulties. I also remember reading about him later on when you were fighting the fight to get him "mainstreamed." Matt touched the lives of all he met, as is evidenced by what my mother told me about him, and by reading this guest book. I am priviledged for knowing him, and you were blessed to have him as a son. I know what it's like to have a sibling with special needs, and know the sorrow of losing them in death. I know you know that he is in the presence of Jesus, where all is made new! My family and I will keep you in our prayers

Sincerely,

Greg McAtee and family

Indiana Township

April 4, 2006

God bless all of you for being the family of a very special young man. He is in heaven and is watching over you.

Deb Pfeiffer

April 4, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I always looked forward to seeing Matthew and his smiling face. He will be missed by many.

Lenore Wossidlo

April 4, 2006

To the Family of Matthew Burda, although I never knew you, we have a lot in common. I have two kids, one with autism, and I also speak up for him and jump over the obstacles. From my heart, thank you for all that you have done for special needs. And I thank Matthew for his inspiration.

Love, Lenore P. Wossidlo, Swissvale

Sylvia Lazaro

April 3, 2006

Matt, was a true role model...

Bob and Diane Stritzinger

April 3, 2006

Our Deepest Sympathy .... when I was in high school, Matthew was in our PARC program, and was the cutest little thing!!! It is so nice to know that he grew up to be a "special" man....You are in our thoughts and prayers....Diane

Loreen

April 3, 2006

Burda Family,

My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. May finding that others do care give you a measure of comfort. Also may the God of tender mercies and all comfort give you and the family the strenght to endure in this time of deep sorrow.

Nancy Althouse

April 3, 2006

Dear Marlene and Steve - Our most sincere sympathy over the loss of Matthew. He will surely be a very special addition to the corps of angels. Please know we are thinking of you and send our love. Tom and Nancy Yoder Althouse

Debra Kachurik

April 3, 2006

You have my sincere sympathy. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Jan Hayden

April 3, 2006

Matthew's family by heart-felt condolences on the loss of your son and brother. There is a light that shines for all challenged individuals some brighter than others..may he join all the lights that he helped in his quest for a better life. Being a mother of one of those you and he helped, I know he has lots of friends and admirers where he is going...

God Bless you.

Jan Hayden, Pittsburgh PA

Diane Hubing

April 3, 2006

Matthew,

Although I never knew you or anyone in your family, after reading about all the obsticals that were on your path and how you over came them, I feel compelled to write this to say you are an inspiration!

I can only wish I had half the courage you had.

May it be of comfort to your family to know that your life story is touching hearts of strangers.

Rest in peace brave warrior.

April 3, 2006

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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