Gary J. Burbeck, 71, of Westfield, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026.

Born on in Keene, NH on July 11, 1955, Gary was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend whose greatest joy was the people he loved.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Marion (Pelkey)Burbeck, and his brother, William ‘Bud’ Burbeck. He leaves behind his beloved daughters, Heather Burbeck-Rodriguez and her husband, Miguel, of Agawam, and Jessica Baker of Suffield, CT and was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Baker. He also leaves his grandchildren, Dominic & Kam’ryn Rodriguez, and Jax & Ellery Baker, who were the center of his world, his sisters, Nancy L. Burbeck of Chicopee, and Doreen K. Engel of Stafford Springs, CT, along with nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends who were fortunate enough to know and love him.

But to know Gary, was to know that family was never limited to those connected by blood.

As his daughters grew up, their friends quickly became his friends, too. Somewhere along the way, “Dad” became “Daddy” to many of them. He was the dad who welcomed everyone, made people laugh, offered advice when it was needed, and made sure you always knew you had a place with him. And when he became a grandfather, “Daddy” eventually became “Ganka.”

Being a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life. As “Ganka,” he created a new generation of memories, traditions, laughs, and stories that his grandchildren will carry with them always.

For most of his career, Gary worked as an over-the-road truck driver, a job that gave him the opportunity to travel throughout much of the United States. He enjoyed the freedom of the open road, discovering new places, and seeing parts of the country that many people never get the chance to experience. His travels became an important part of his life and gave him countless stories and memories to share.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, kind heart and strength, but most of all, he will be remembered for the love he gave so freely to his family and to the many people who became family along the way.

His absence will leave an enormous hole in the lives of those who loved him. But his legacy lives on—in his daughters, his grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, and in all of the “kids” he loved as his own.

He was Dad. He was Daddy. He was Ganka. And to so many people, he was home.

Calling hours are Thursday, October 8, 2026 from 9-11am at the AGAWAM CURRAN JONES FUNERAL HOME, 745 Cooper Street with a Funeral Home Service at 11. The burial will follow in Springfield Street Cemetery.