Gettysburg lost one of its most colorful residents on October 1, 2018. Walter D.
Burel, 94 years young, passed away peacefully from complications from ILD
(Interstitial Lung Disease).
Up to two weeks prior to his passing, Walt was still living at home on his 100 acre
dream farm on Taneytown Road, still driving, still cutting grass with his Zero-turn
mower, still going to exercise therapy with his friends 6 days a week, and still playing Trivia with his winning team “Ana Banana”.
Walter grew up in Kaylor, PA. Attended Parks Air College in Missouri. When the
US Air Force wouldn't allow him to fly because of age restrictions, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. During WWII he enlisted in the Merchant Marines, surviving days in the water after his ship sunk. Walt went on to spend the next 20 years traveling the world on ships as Chief Engineer for the Merchant Marine. As a Merchant Marine Veteran, Walt followed with a 2nd career traveling to the world's largest seaports as Marine Port Chief Engineer for Marine Transport Lines based out of NYC. All the while, keeping his Gettysburg Farm as his week-end home base while his wonderful wife of 44 years, Mary G. Burel (Gettysburg College Librarian Emerita) managed the farm. Mary predeceased Walt in 2007.
Walt's love of animals resulted in a menagerie of rescued animals over the years;
horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, and a goat all called the Burel Farm their home. And Walt enjoyed his life and final years with his companion and friend of 50 years, Ana White.
Walter D. Burel is proudly survived by his daughters, Lori Caruso of Gettysburg,
Candy Fritchley of Athens, Ohio and Linda Gannon of New Castle, PA. and their
husbands and children and grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great
grandchild! Walt is also survived by his “son”, Dave Lewis of Chicora, PA, his best
friend, Peter Beyes of Hop Bottom, PA, and of course, Ana White.
A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Services beginning at 2:00pm. Interment to follow the services at Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA. Friends and Family are invited to a gathering following at Mason Dixon Distillery, 331 E Water St, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Flowers are appreciated, and/or donations to the ASPCA.
Online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
6
Oct
125 Carlisle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Service
6
Oct
125 Carlisle Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Cemetery Details
Location
799 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
