Burchard, Robert F.

Robert F. “Birdie” Burchard, 53, of Canton, formerly of Brockton, died unexpectedly on February 13 at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Beloved husband of Mary Ellen (Cormier). Devoted father of Abigail W. and Sadie D., both of Canton. Loving son of Mary L. Burchard (Cashin) of Weston and the late Joseph Burchard. Brother of the late William Burchard. Brother-in-law of Sue Burchard of Weston. Uncle of Molly and Joe Burchard of Weston.

A 1979 graduate of Brockton High School and a fixture on the ball fields of Brockton as a youth, Bob’s passion for sports continued throughout his life. He attended Bowdoin College, Class of 1983, and majored in economics. It was at Bowdoin where he joined Beta Theta Pi and developed lifelong friendships.

In 1993 Bob began working alongside his cherished brother Billy at Fast Forwarding Inc., a nationwide freight forwarding and transportation company. Following Billy’s untimely death, Bob chaired the Billy Burchard Foundation, focusing on a cure for pancreatic cancer. Bob has been president of Fast Forwarding for the past eight years.

He married the love of his life, Mary Ellen, in December 1996 and together they raised two daughters whom he adored. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.

Bob was a kind, compassionate, and generous guy who always put the interests of others before his own. He loved to laugh, cook, play and watch all types of sports, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Bob will be truly missed by all, yet he will continue to live in our hearts through the countless stories and unbelievable adventures he experienced.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Gerard Majella Church in Canton on Thursday, February 20, at 10 a.m. Burial at Canton Corner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Mass General Transplant Center at https://secure.massgeneral.org/transplant-center. Arrangements by the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street. For guestbook, go to dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.

If you would like to leave additional messages for the family, feel free to visit Caringbridge.org and under “visit someone” on the right-hand side, type in Bob Burchard to get to his site.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Feb 20 2014. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.