Thomas Charles Burlas

Thomas “Tom” Charles Burlas, 91, of Greensburg, died Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg from pneumonia complications. 

Thomas C. Burlas was the son of the late John A. Burlas and Bertha E. Nessler Burlas. He was born in Unity Township, Greensburg, on May 1, 1931.  His two sisters, Marie Louise Fajt and Rita Daugherty; and six brothers, (infant) John R. Burlas, Regis E. Burlas, Donald J. Burlas, Father Anthony Burlas, O.S.B., Philip M. Burlas and Carl D. Burlas, preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Patricia Maxwell Burlas; and his three children, Thomas C. Burlas and wife, Lisa, of Houston, TX, Laura A. DeSantis and husband, Bill, of Marietta, GA, and Robert G. Burlas and wife, Tara, of Westfield, IN. Nine grandchildren also survive him, Caitlyn (Jason) Kotun, Kiley (Robert) Raymond, Julia (Austin) White, Robert M. (Hannah) Burlas, Garret Burlas, Olivia Burlas, Elizabeth Burlas, Christina DeSantis, and Sophia DeSantis. On February 2, 2023, Kiley and Bob Raymond welcomed Lilian Rose Raymond, Thomas Burlas’s first great-grandchild. Their families remember his legacy of faith and family and proudly carry him with them. 

Tom received his B.S. in Mathematics from St. Vincent College, B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University, and a certificate in Business Management from St. Vincent College. After achieving various academic endeavors, Tom began his career as an Electrical Design Engineer at General Electric in New York before moving back to the Greensburg area. In Greensburg, he began a long career with Westinghouse working as a Principal Engineer with the Advanced Energy and Water Reactor Divisions. 

Outside of a successful career, Tom was a faithful member of St. Bruno’ Roman Catholic Church, South Greensburg, serving as President of the Holy Name Society and Parent Teacher Guild, a member of the Church Council, as well as Chairman and Treasurer of the school board. He also served as a mass lector. He was a cherished member of the community and will be incredibly missed. 

There will be no public visitation. Friends and family are all welcome to a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 AM, Saturday March 4, 2023, at St. Vincent Basilica, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe. Please go directly to the church.  Interment will follow in the St. Vincent Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent Seminary, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650. LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg is assisting with arrangements.  www.bachafh.com

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