Paul Buriak, 78, Minot, entered his eternal home on Sunday, July 7, 2019 with his family by his side in a Minot hospital.

Paul Lewis Buriak was born January 10, 1941 in Rochester, New York to Paul & Mary (Gacura) Buriak. He grew up in Pennsylvania & Ohio, graduating from Washington High School, Massillon, Ohio in 1959.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 26, 1960, retiring from active duty in 1981. He always said his time in service was spent flying a BGD (big grey desk). His first military assignment was to Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND. Here he met JoAnn Johnson, a nursing student at UND. One week after meeting JoAnn he met her mother Bessie Johnson, fell in love with the mother and married JoAnn a year later on July 20, 1963 in Hope Congregational Church, Granville. JoAnn graduated with a BS in nursing in 1964. Their first child Maria Jane was born in Grand Forks. His next tour of duty was at Albrook Air Force Base, Canal Zone, Panama. He was transferred to Fort Lee, Virginia, an experience which he always described himself as being a lone blue star in a field of Green. Paul Lewis II was born there. They enjoyed Virginia very much for the wonderful history & the opportunity to become acquainted with his father's family living in Virginia & Pennsylvania. In 1973, he was stationed at a very small Radar Site in Empire Michigan (very near today's Sleeping Bear Dunes). Heather Elizabeth was born in Michigan making their family complete.
In 1975, they were transferred to Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. While there they enjoyed visits to: France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria, East Berlin, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Italy. Returning home from Italy on July 4, 1976 we were warmly welcome in Lucerne Switzerland & treated to fireworks in celebration of our country's Bicentennial.
Paul & family arrived at Minot Air Force Base in June of 1977. Paul attended college during each of his military assignments, finishing his Bachelor of Science in Education/History at Minot State University. After receiving his degree he taught in the local school system for 20 years. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, served on the Vestry numerous times and was frequently Senior Warden. He was a lay reader, assisted teaching the adult church school class, helped in the kitchen during church activities and worked the weekly soup kitchen.

Paul was raised as a Master Mason on May 29, 1965 in Ashlar Lodge, Granville. He was honored to hold the station of Master of his Lodge in 2006-2007. He was a member of The York Rite, became a member of Kem Shrine, joined the Merry Men and was part of the HillBilly Club. He is a Past President of the Shrine Club in Minot. Paul was initiated into Granville Chapter #47, Order of the Eastern Star in 1978. He served his chapter as Worthy Patron 13 times. He was elected Grand Sentinel in 1994, Associate Grand Patron of ND in 1995 and served as Worthy Grand Patron in 1996-97 with his Worthy Grand Matron sister JoAnn Buriak. He has served the Grand Chapter of ND on several committees and had 3 Grand Representative appointments (Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri). He was very honored to serve the General Grand Chapter as a member of the Alzheimer's Committees 2012-2015.

Paul has worked with the youth as a leader in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, DeMolay and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. He was a local Rainbow Dad for many years and a State Rainbow Dad in 2000-2001, and has served on the Senior Executive Board for at least 20 years. He was honored with the Grand Cross of Color.

His hobbies included reading, cooking and photography.  He loved to travel and was always ready to meet a new friend.  He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to share in his life.

Paul is survived by his wife of 56 years JoAnn Buriak, his children Maria (Robin) Schuh, Paul (Shellie) Buriak, Heather (Bradley) Malone, his five Grandchildren Kaylie Buriak, Josua (Jasmine) Schuh, Brianna Buriak, Gabriel Schuh, and Paul Luke Buriak and Niece Diane Resvick.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Minot.
Visitation: Friday, July 12, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to All Saints Episcopal Church, Shrine Hospital Transportation or North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Paul Buriak Flower Pictures