Obituary of Stephen L. Burskey

Stephen L. Burskey, 91, went home to be with his Lord & Savior, February 15, 2015, after his brave battle with cancer for the past several months. Steve was born in New Cumberland, WV, and came to Akron when he was 19 and spent the rest of his life in Akron and the Firestone Park area. He worked at Goodyear Aircraft for a short time and found "the love of his life," Ann, as he always referred to her. He was a WWII Army Veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and continued his Army career in the Reserves until his retirement in 1983. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He also had a 41-year career as a calendar/mill operator at RCA Rubber Co. in Akron and retired in 1986. Steve and Ann were members of St. John's church where they were married in 1946, until it closed, and then became members of St. Paul's church. Steve was happily married over 68 years to Ann & they enjoyed many cruises, trips and his favorite one was making it to Hawaii. Steve and Ann had one main passion and that was going out dancing on their Saturday date-night. They loved to polka and waltz and do all ballroom dancing & enjoyed going to the German-American Club for many years until it closed. One of Steve's favorite passtimes was working in the yard and garden & planting flowers with his wife and then his grandson, Larry, joined in. He enjoyed making their yard the best in the neighborhood. One trait that Steve was best known for was his generosity and ALWAYS putting the needs of others before himself. He was a man of honor, high integrity, outstanding morals and values...and honest to the core. He was one of the most loving and devoted husbands anyone has ever known and a caring and "always concerned" loving father who was there whenever we needed him. Steve was a kind soul, so strong and brave...a true soldier to the end. While Stephen will be greatly missed by all his family and friends, we are happy that he is now in his true home. The Burskey family is grateful to the In-Home Hospice team of The Western Reserve, with special thanks to Jean-Marie Holden-Rogers, Marjorie, Jen, Rosyln, Jackie Kustic-Markowski, Kristen & Darlene. In rememberance of Steve, donations can be made to Hospice of The Western Reserve (330) 800-2240 or the St. Vincent dePaul Society through St. Paul's Catholic Church. Stephen is survived by his beloved wife, of 68 years, Ann (Pagac); daughter Becky Burskey; grandchildren Lori Westover, Lisa (Scott) Smith and Larry (Jennifer) Westover; great grandchildren Justin (Amanda), Audrey, Brandon and Andrew Westover; great great grandchild Gabriella Westover; dear friend of the family Carole Shepherd. He was preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Westover in 2008. The family will receive friends Wednesday 5 to 8 pm at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Akron. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:30 am at the funeral home and at 10:00 am in St. Paul Catholic Church, 1580 Brown St. Akron, OH 44301. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)