Raymond J. Burda

Raymond J. Burda, a prominent designer and engineer for the steel industry, passed
away peacefully at JFK Memorial Hospital in Atlantis, Florida on June 22, 2020 after a
long illness, lovingly surrounded by family.
 
He was born on April 3, 1941, in Braddock, Pennsylvania to Raymond Burda Sr. and
Ann V. Weis Burda. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from North
Carolina State University. He was a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania most of his life,
where he then relocated to Morgantown, West Virginia. He has a cottage on Cheat Lake
that he named “Almost” (Heaven). Over the winters, he also resided at Snug Harbor in
Boynton Beach, Florida.
 
Ray served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany. He has
been quoted on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has written several
articles for Steel Industry Trade Magazines. He often traveled internationally for his
work and also enjoyed traveling leisurely with his wife and family.
 
Ray was always taking care of his family, especially when it came to cooking a delicious
feast. If he wasn’t cooking, he was spending time in his workshop, creating nice things
for those he loved. Ray had a passion for woodworking. He would spend hours making
gadgets, grandfather clocks, furniture, and wooden puzzles for the grandchildren. Along
with his artistic side, he was fascinated with nature. Some of his favorite outdoor
hobbies were fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking, and telling stories about astronomy.
 
Ray Burda is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Joyce Burda, “Juicy”. His
daughters: Angela Kopp (husband David), Michele Kuxhausen, Natale Haley, Nicole
Docherty (husband, Casey). Grandchildren: Kayla Vitello, (Fiance, Peter), Madison
Haley, Nolan Kopp, Seth Kopp, Noah Kuxhausen, Jaeden Haley. Nephew; Jeffrey K.
Burda. Friends; Tad, Francis, and Warm Hollow family: Mike, Bob and his dog (Miss
Sydney), along with many others. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and two nieces.
 
Ray is preceded in death by his brother, Vaughn Burda, their parents, and his beloved
dog Winnie.
 
The memories we have shared with Pappy will always be cherished. He will truly
be missed and never forgotten.











A private Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2020. Raymond J. Burda will
be buried at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 FL-7, Lake Worth, Florida 33449.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the
West Virginia American Heart Association (Click here to donate online)
or to the International Myeloma Foundation (Click here to donate online)