Leonard "Paul" Burgard, age 81, of Pittsburgh, PA; Deer Lake, PA; and Ocean View, DE, passed away of pancreatic cancer on April 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family including his 85 lb golden retriever, Maisie, who, in the final moments, jumped on his lap and licked his hand.

Born on May 7, 1943, to Leonard and Elsie (Hoffmann) Burgard, Paul grew up in Swissvale across from Newmeyer playground with his siblings, Gretchen (Joe) Barclay, Louise (Jerry) Churik, and George (Anita) Burgard. In first grade, he met his first wife, Kathleen (Kathi) Koontz, who had been baptized on the same day as him at St. Anselm's church. Paul graduated from Central Catholic High School where he completed his most prized project on the "hydra," a microorganism. He went to Bradley University in Illinois and worked at Western Penitentiary for 27 years as the director of education and business manager.

Paul was a devoted father to Kristin (Paul Mayer), Erin (Jim) DiPerna, and Kara Burgard-Clark (Chris). He coached softball and fought for his girls' equal access to the neighborhood ball field; attended cross country, track and swim meets; and posed as a newspaper photographer during track meets so that he could stand on the track and get the best action shots. He was crazy about his grandchildren: Christopher, Nate, Lauren, Sloan, Claire, Katie, and Allison. Paul's kids and grandkids loved to hear Pap's wild stories about growing up in Swissvale. The stories included a swear word per sentence about friends getting shot in the neck with an arrow, setting a school on fire, hoisting neighbors' garbage cans up flag poles, etc.  He liked to call this "good, clean fun." After Kathi's death in 2001, he married his Chalfant neighbor and friend, Dorothy Thompson, and became a stepfather to Bobby (Mandy), Jimmy (Megan), Ronnie (Kim) and Jennifer (Milton) and step-grandfather to Nolan and Lucy Thompson. Together they raised Gertie, their beloved mutt.

Along with Dorothy (married for 20 years), kids, sons-in-law and grandkids, Paul is survived by sister, Louise Churik, his Burgard and Koontz sisters- and brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Paul cherished his friends from Swissvale, Chalfant, Deer Lake and Ocean View. He was an avid gardener and his neighbors in Ocean View called him "Paulie Rocks" since he landscaped his yard using tons of rocks.  He had no idea it was against the HOA rules. He also enjoyed going to "pump some iron" at the local gym with his 91-year-old friend, Ron.

Paul was a talented builder/remodeler and loved "knocking out walls" at his house. He had a unique fashion sense – sweatpants, white t-shirt, hooded zip-up sweatshirt, tube socks, brown loafers or Crocs, fanny pack, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. For special occasions he wore "dress sweats."

At the Pearly Gates, he probably greeted Pope Francis with "how yinz doin'?" Celebrations of Life will be held in Ocean View and Pittsburgh this summer and fall respectively. Specific dates are TBD. All guests are encouraged to wear a comfortable sweatsuit. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to your local animal shelter are appreciated.