Mr. Edward Andrew Burek

Edward Andrew Burek, age 98, of Johns Creek, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, peacefully at home. Edward was born on November 10, 1925, in Buffalo NY. He was the son of Nicholas and Mary (Galiszewski) Burek. The Burek family had its origin in Kolaczyce, Poland. The town is in the province of Rzeszow, east and a bit south of Krakow.
After high school Edward enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. Cpl. Burek was a flight engineer on a B17 during WWII. After the war he took advantage of the GI Bill and went to Clarkson University. There he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Edward worked for Western Electric, the manufacturing company for AT&T at the Buffalo, Omaha, and Atlanta copper cable plants. He retired from the Atlanta Works after 35 years' service as a subject matter expert in designing and building copper cable manufacturing plants.
In 1952 while vacationing from his job at the Western Electric Buffalo Works, he traveled to a vacation resort in Ontario Canada. There he met a vacationing French Canadian, Florence Marcotte. Edward and Florence, both devout Roman Catholics, decided to date though they lived 330 miles from each other. The fourth time they met, it was to be married in Florence's home town of Chelmsford, Ontario on July 18, 1953.
Edward and Florence started their life together in Buffalo, NY, and had four sons and then two daughters: Michael Burek (wife Amy), of Charlotte, NC; Denis Burek (wife Joan), of Cumming, GA; Robert Burek (wife Sally), of Lagrange, GA; Ronald Burek, of Eugene, OR; and daughters Claire Johnson, of Leawood, KS; and Jackie Bowman (husband Al), of Cumming, GA. He loved his beautiful grandchildren, Sarah, Nicholas, Anton, Owen, Nicolle, Jessica, and Heather; and cherished the day he was able to hold his great grandson, Bear. Edward dedicated his life to God, family, and country as only a hero of WWII could.
The family moved from Buffalo, NY to Omaha, NE, and finally settled in Johns Creek, GA, in 1986, where he was an active member of Saint Brigid Catholic Church as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Mass Lecter, and tireless volunteer in the church business office. Edward and his wife had the unique experience as founding Parishioners in three Roman Catholic churches: St Gregory the Great in Buffalo NY, St. Benedict in Duluth GA and St. Brigid in Johns Creek GA. He loved the many friendships he formed throughout the years especially the special bond he and his wife had with Bert and Eun Soon Botzman. He also loved the community at Saint Brigid and their priests held a special place in his heart.
Besides his wife and family, Edward had a passion for lecturing at Mass, Golf, Personal Finance, advising his adult children, Politics, Atlanta Falcons (25-year season ticket holder), Atlanta Braves and being the nicest most pleasant person, anyone would ever meet. Edward deeply missed Florence who preceded him in death by ten months on their 70th wedding anniversary. They cherished their time together and enjoyed traveling in their later years.
Along with his parents, Edward is preceded in death by his six siblings Henry Burek, Dorothy Burek, Mary Piwko, Dolores Burek, John Burek, and Norman Burek.
A memorial Mass will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 11:00 am at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA. A reception will follow the memorial Mass. After the reception Cpl Burek will be interred at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton GA at 2:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edward's name to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA. https://trappist.net/support/donate
Please visit www.northsidechapel.com to share memories and leave condolences to the family.