Obituaries

Robert N. Burkert, former New City Fire Department President, Dies at Age 66

Founding member of the A.O.H. of Rockland County Pipe Band.

Robert Neil Burkert of New City passed away peacefully on March 14, 2013, with his devoted wife and good friends by his side. He was 66.

A Rockland County native, Bob was a graduate of Haverstraw High School and Fordham University. His work for Avon, Time Warner, and KPMG took him to many cities around the world but home was where he taught many new pipe band members how to play the drums and volunteered with the New City Fire Department.

He was a founding member of the A.O.H. of Rockland County Pipe Band, alongside his friend Ed Larkin.

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He is survived by his wife Bernadette, son Michael Burkert of Alamo, CA, daughter Shannon Burkert Sullivan of Arlington, VA, brother Tom Burkert, sister Cindy Burkert Larson, and beloved grandsons Luke, Liam and Finley.

He will also be remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great friends who made his final days more comfortable, including Rich Dyer, Robert Dowd, Greg Deely and Guardian Angel Pee Wee Booker.

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The Burkert family thanks all of the members of Bob's community, especially the members of the New City Fire Department, for their ongoing support as he bravely battled cancer for seven years. 

He was a Life Member and Past-President of the New City Fire Department and longtime Treasurer of the New City Board of Fire Commissioners.

Family will receive visitors at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home in New City from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered Monday, March 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack with burial to follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Nanuet.

 


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