P. Paul Burrichter

P. Paul Burrichter of West Chester, PA passed away at 95 years old with family at his side on April 24, 2023.  Paul was pre-deceased by his wife of 64 years, Joan (Meehan) Burrichter.  Paul grew up in Drexel Hill, PA, and graduated from West Catholic, HS.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June, 1945 and after his honorary discharge, he entered Penn State University at College Park.  With an eye toward giving back, he taught for several years at a two-room schoolhouse in Shunk, PA before marrying Joan in 1956.  Paul was an educator at heart and loved the outdoors.  Our family camping trips are fondly remembered.  He worked as a School Psychologist for Chester County and then as the Delaware County Administrator for their newly established Mental Health programs.  He had an M.A. in Psychology with additional coursework toward a Ph.D.  He was active in his children’s lives and coached Little League baseball.  Gardening was his solace in a busy professional and personal life.  He enjoyed the work of growing his own vegetables and fruit that he could share with family and friends.  He was known as “Grandfather” and will be dearly missed by his children and extended family.  

Paul is survived by his five children, daughter Eleanor (Burrichter) Zerbato and husband Thomas Monastra, Chadds Ford, PA; son Paul J. Burrichter and wife Kim (Elliott) Burrichter, Drexel Hill, PA; son Dennis Burrichter, Ambler, PA; daughter Claire (Burrichter) Toland, Havertown, PA; and son Andrew Burrichter and wife Paula Megan, Richmond, VA.   Family was his life’s jewel and Paul enjoyed his 12 grandchildren; Justin Zerbato, David Zerbato, Robert Zerbato, Rachael Zerbato, Elizabeth (Burrichter) Arginteanu, Emily (Burrichter) Vorstadt, Andrew Burrichter, Mary Kate Burrichter, Robert Toland, Grace Toland, Dante Burrichter, and Georgia Burrichter as well as many great-grandchildren. 

Paul was preceded in death by his wife and 5 siblings Rosemary, Harry, Helen, Katherine, Charles his son Carl (1979), and son-in-law G. John Zerbato (2013).

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023 at S.S. Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct, West Chester, PA 19382 with a visitation for friends and family at the church beginning at 10:00 am.  This mass is followed by burial at St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.  Donations may be made to West Catholic Preparatory High School, Philadelphia, PA in support of their scholarships.