Carl Burrows
Carl Melvin Burrows, 66, of Meadville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 9, 2020, at UPMC Hamot.
Carl was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Earl and Martha Burrows on Sept. 10, 1953, the fifth of six children.
He attended Commodore Perry Junior/Senior High School and helped with the family farm before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the time of the Vietnam War. Carl was immensely proud of his military service and never missed an opportunity to engage with a fellow veteran.
A skilled mechanic armed with an aptitude for disassembling and reassembling cars and tractors alike, Carl operated Carl’s Texas Parts in Greenville for a number of years following his discharge. It was during this time that he married Kathy Renken, with whom he raised his two eldest children, Melvin and Misty.
Finding his way to Connecticut in the late 1980s, Carl made full use of his abilities under the employ of the Sealed Air Corporation in Danbury until the mid ’90s. Returning to Pennsylvania, he then spent the greatest part of his years as the proprietor and sole contractor of Petra Construction, which continued until his retirement in January 2020.
Carl was genuinely enamored with any and all things hands-on and was truly a master of electrical work, carpentry, plumbing and roofing.
While still calling Connecticut home, Carl married the former Jane Bartlett on Dec. 28, 1990.
In Pennsylvania, their relationship flourished and they raised two children, Elliot and Olivia.
Carl and Jane loved to travel together, sharing a special fondness for the Grand Canyon and were fortunate enough to spend time in both Haiti and Honduras doing mission work.
Carl was a devout Christian and regularly attended New Beginnings Church of God in Meadville. His faith was one of the cornerstones of his being, and he never shied away from an opportunity to share fellowship.
In his free time, Carl enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching westerns (sometimes with his eyes closed!), attending classic car shows and conversing with anyone who just happened to be near him.
Ever the adventurer and always out of the house well before waking hours, he took pleasure in skiing, bicycling, camping with close friends, and showing off his roller-skating expertise. A lifelong farmer, Carl could often be found hard at work in his vegetable garden, where he was especially proud of his potatoes.
In addition to his wife Jane, Carl is survived by his first wife, Kathy Renken of Hamilton; siblings Doris Craig of Atlantic, Barbara Bambule (John) of Bonita Springs, Florida; Richard Burrows (Betty) of Hadley and Kimberly Timlin (Jerome) of Conneaut Lake; children Melvin Burrows (Tabatha) of Gatesville; Misty Clepper (Wes) of Hamilton; Elliot Burrows of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Olivia Burrows of Meadville; grandsons Gary Schumann of Abilene, and Aaron Burrows of Stephenville; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Larry D. Burrows, and a nephew, Larry D. Burrows, Jr.
Above all else Carl treasured time spent with his friends and family, whom he loved unconditionally. He did everything within his power to make the world a better place and is deeply missed.
Arrangements were entrusted to Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania. The service for Carl Burrows is available to be viewed at www.snyderfh.com/obituary/CarlBurrows
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.snyderfh.com
Memorials tributes may be made to Disabled American Veterans or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
