Arthur Francis Burk
Arthur Francis Burk, 76, died Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the Brackenville Center after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He leaves his cherished wife of 25 years, Gail (Abby) Burk; his seven children Matthew, Andrew (Anne Marie), Joanne (David), Richard (Jamie), Andrew, James (Heather) and Annemarie and his eight grandchildren Sean, Jacob, Megan, Garrett, Colin, Brendan, Braedan and Maxwell. Also surviving is his sister Janice McDuffie (Harold).
Arthur was predeceased by his parents Elsie and Arthur (Flash) Burk and his beloved first wife Carol Collins.
Art received his Bachelors’ degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University. He began his industrial career with DuPont at their Deepwater, New Jersey facility. He worked on the safe handling of toxics, flammables and combustibles and thermally unstable materials. In total, his career with DuPont spanned 37 years, during which he served in a wide range of technical, project and manufacturing, and process safety assignments.
In 1985, Art joined DuPont’s Corporate Safety and Occupational Health Division. He developed standards and guidance in the safe handling and use of hazardous material. In the course of this job he worked with many organizations including Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemistry Council, State of New Jersey, State of Delaware and State of West Virginia.
From the late 1980’s until he retired in 2001 Art served on and chaired DuPont’s Process Safety Management Leadership Team. Throughout his career, Art approached each assignment with “passion” reflecting his commitment to achieving continuous improvement towards the “goal of zero injuries and incidents.” His career was about saving lives and preventing injuries. Art’s most favorite mantra to his family was “Safety First!”
Art and Abby own a home in Sea Isle City, NJ and loved hosting family and friends at the shore. His family will most remember the many hours spent around the crowded dinner table where laughter always seemed to be the main course. Art was a lover of surf fishing and he was always excited to go out fishing and was a great teacher to his children and grandchildren. Art loved sports especially the Philadelphia Eagles, college basketball and NASCAR racing (#24). What Art will be remembered for most was his devotion to family and friends. He always looked forward to visits from his children and grandchildren, whether during the holidays or for a weekend visit at the Jersey shore. He loved traveling with Abby and they have many fond memories of laughter and love around the world.
Every day was a beautiful day for Art. He will always be admired for his generosity, thoughtfulness and loyalty.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Brackenville Centre for their loving care while Art was with them.
You are invited to visit with Art’s family and friends from 9:00 to 10:45, Monday morning, October 10, 2016, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street. Kennett Square, PA. His Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 at St. Patrick Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, PA. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com
