Stephen Anthony Burbules, age 92, of Waterford, died Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at his home in Waterford. He was born April 5, 1922 on Sampson Road in Greene Township, son of the late John and Mary Polivchak Burbules.
After attending a one room school house on Lake Pleasant Road, Steve joined the US Army and served overseas during WWII from 1942 until 1945 when he was honorably discharged as staff sergeant. He returned home, bought his own farm in Waterford, and married Shirley Jean Rydbom in June 1950.
Steve retired after 47 years as a boiler operator (fireman) for the Penelec electric plant which was formerly on the Erie bayfront. After retiring, he started his own evergreens which blossomed into Tamarack Nursery. Besides his passion to grow trees and shrubs, he was known for his wine-making and he loved to travel the country just to see the foliage. Steve was a member of the Greengarden bowling league, then the senior bowling league, and a member of the American Legion Post 285.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Jean Rydbom Burbules, who died January 1997; a great-granddaughter Julia Burbules; and infant brother John, his brothers Frank and Elmer Burbules, and sisters Mary Shearer, Helen Lorei, Josephine Kelm, and Elizabeth Bebko.
Survivors include a brother George Burbules and wife Edna, and sister-in-law Donna Burbules, all of Greene Township; his sons, David Burbules and his friend JoAnn of Cambridge Springs, Larry Burbules and his wife Pam of North Carolina, Ed Burbules and wife Tracy of Venango, and Matt Casey of Waterford; his daughters, Susan Burbules of Erie and Heidi Skelton, with whom he resided in Waterford. Others include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many friends and family alike, including his caregivers Bobbette, Dona, and Cookie.
The family will visit with friends at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Thursday, June 19th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday morning beginning at the funeral home with a 9:15 a.m. prayer service followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Boniface Church at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. John Schulz will be the celebrant. Interment will be in Mount of Olives Cemetery.
Memorials donations may be made to Great Lakes Hospice.
To the kindest man I had the pleasure to know an take care of for almost 2yrs. He was like a dad to all of us,an was always happy. I’ll miss u so much dad.y became so much apart of my life an my heart. Love an miss u always . Cookie