Paul R. Burchardt

Paul R. Burchardt, 49, beloved son, husband and father, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at his home in Rockford, IL. He and his wife had just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary and he would have celebrated his 50th birthday in three weeks. He died suddenly , apparently from a fatal and quick heart attack and he probably suffered very little pain. Paul was born in Elgin, IL on June 11, 1957. He met Josetta at a Catholic Charismatic Conference at Notre Dame, IN in May of 1983, and they were later married by Josettas brother, Rev. James R. Cascione, C.S.S. R. on May 3, 1986 at St. Aloysius Gonzaga R.C. Church in Jackson, NJ. He is survived by his wife, Josetta (Cascione) and children Daniel, Marie and Brian, Rockford; parents, Betty Lou and Edward Burchardt, Roselle; sister Carol Adams, Roselle; brothers, Donald, Bolingbrook and Richard, Rockford. He also is survived by several aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends. He was a devoted husband and father. Although he had great skills with computers, he enjoyed working on genealogy programs the most. He was the perfect handyman that family and friends depended upon. Neighbors would often see Paul and Josetta taking walks together or Paul taking longer hikes by himself. The work with his sons and other Boy Scouts of Troop 57 and their families gave him great satisfaction and happiness. He was Quartermaster and Committee Member of Troop 57 and previously had been Assistant Webelos Cub Scout Leader. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 4776. He was a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church and enjoyed praying at Mass with his family and learning about the roots of his Catholic faith. He was a 1975 graduate of Schaumburg High School. He worked at various jobs including Ampex Tapes and N.F.E. International and LeFebure, all in Elk Grove Village, IL; Ambassador Canon, Schaumburg; Nexus Office Systems, Rockford; Danaher Motion (Pacific Scientific), Rockford and LCE Media (conference recording/audio/video duplication). He had just received his license as a Home Inspector for the State of Illinois and was a recent certified member of NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors). Visitation will be at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. on Sunday, May 27, 2007 from 4-8 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. and a time of sharing at 7:45 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of the Mass. Interment will be private on the following day. Josetta and children are very thankful for all of the efforts of the 911 crew and the various staff members at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. We thank, so much, our dear Pastor, Msgr. Bales, who was there when we needed him most. We have been so blessed by the tremendous outpouring of love, prayers, support, meals, e-mails, cards, cleaning crews, etc. that has been shown to us from relatives, friends and neighbors, and especially by several close friends and our home school group and members of Holy Family Parish. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the memorial education fund for the children that has been established with all Associated Bank branches. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.