to: OBITUARY PAGECHARLES J. BURDICK
BELMONT — Charles J. Burdick, of Trianna Street, passed away at his home after a tough battle with cancer Monday (Aug. 20, 2007). He was born on November 22, 1930 in Buffalo to Carl and
Florence Burdick. On December 27, 1950 he married his best friend Patricia who survives him.
Chuck graduated from West Seneca High School and served his country as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Among many operations he fought at Heartbreak Ridge where he was
surrounded for 2 weeks, Pork Chop Hill and in the City of Seoul. He operated a Texaco Station in Eden before owning a dairy farm in Franklinville where he worked part time on the Franklinville
police department. He was the first man hired by the chief security officer at Alfred State College as a public safety officer where he worked for 27 years retiring in 1990.
From 1978 to 1995 he operated a photography studio part time with his wife. He was a drummer for many years with the Serenaders, a country band from Franklinville and the Clubmen, a 14-piece big
band.
He moved his young family to Belmont in the early 1960s where he became an active member of the community. He coached little league and Babe Ruth baseball for many years. Chuck led the
campaign for an ambulance corps in the Town of Amity which was formed in 1970 with him as captain for 10 years and a member for 17 years. He was a life member of the Belmont Fire Company and
served as assistant chief. Chuck was an active member of the American Legion Post 808 for 33 years serving in many of its offices including County Commander. He worked tirelessly with the children
of the community, placing flags on veteran’s graves with the Genesee Valley Fifth graders each year and giving a program each year on Flag Day at GVCS showing children how to honor our flag.
Patriotism was very important to Chuck and he tried to instill some of that to the children of the community. He was an active member of the Allegany County Voiture 1006 of the Forty and Eight,
which is a charitable honor society of American war time veterans. He served as Grande Cheminot 8th District NYS, and as Guard de la Porte Grand NYS and Sous Lampiste. In September he was to be
the first person from Allegany County to hold a national position in the Association, which meant so much to him and which he looked forward to with great anticipation. He was active in St. Mary’s
Church for many years as a greater and Eucharistic Minister and enjoyed taking communion to shut ins. He and his family enjoyed camping, boating and traveling on family vacations.
Beside his wife he survived by three children, Karen (Gene) Fanton, of Belmont, James (Janice) Burdick, of Angelica, and Daniel Burdick, of Rumford, R.I.; his five grandchildren were so very
special in his life and he loved every moment he spent with them, Andrew Burdick, of Darien, Ill., Mandy Burdick, of Rumford, R.I., Brian and Nicholas Fanton, of Belmont, and Breanna Burdick, of
Angelica; a brother Larry (Joan) Burdick; and a sister, Mary Lou Gearhart; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother-in-law, Robert “Bob” Gearhart.
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Friends are invited to call today from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont, where a rosary will be recited at 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be
celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Patrick’s Church on Merton Ave., Belfast, with Father Dennis Mancuso as the Celebrant. Burial with full military honors will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery
in Belmont.
Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick’s Renovation Fund, c/o Father Dennis Mancuso, 109 W. Main St., Fillmore, NY 14735, or to the Forty and Eight, c/o Walter Lindsley, Treas., 7401 Tibbits
Road, Friendship, NY. 14739.