Harvey Isaac Burman

Harvey I. Burman of Wallingford peacefully passed away with family at his side on November 18, 2024 at the age of 86. 

A lifelong resident of Delaware County, Harvey was born on December 20th, 1937 in Chester, PA to Robert (Bobby) and Betty Burman. He graduated from Chester High School in 1955. There he met Sandra Elman, whom he married in 1957. They would have three sons together and remain at each other’s side for 63 years. Harvey then attended Temple’s School of Pharmacy, where he graduated in 1959. While at Temple he played on the school’s basketball team and averaged 12 points a game (including a 31-point performance). 

Harvey became a licensed pharmacist and eventually opened Burman’s Pharmacy in Chester in 1965. He would own and operate the pharmacy for 51 years, forging it into a cornerstone of Chester small business. His care for customers and loyalty to the community ensured Burman’s endured long after other local pharmacies had closed their doors. His son Steven and granddaughter Natalie would follow his example and become pharmacists themselves. 

Harvey took people as they came. He was effortlessly humble and easygoing, a quality which only grew as he got older. Harvey took enormous pride in his roots. Among his favorite activities was driving through Chester, often with his grandchildren, telling them stories about their families, friends, and neighbors growing up. 

Harvey adored music – Elvis, Little Richard, and Fats Domino among his many favorites. He was a lifelong fan of the Eagles, 76ers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. His fandom for the Pirates further shows how much Harvey valued his local roots - their manager from 1957 was Danny Murtaugh, another Chester native. Additionally, he was a proud member of Chester Lodge #236 Free and Accepted Masons.

Harvey is survived by his three sons and their spouses, David (Brenda), Steven (Heidi), and Martin (Annmarie); his nine grandchildren Brett (Christopher), Erica (Matthew), Natalie (Darwin), Benjamin, Alex, Leo, Samuel, Max and Jakob; and a great grandson born this year, Isac. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Sandra, who passed in 2020, his parents and his brother Milton. 

A memorial service will be held at Temple Sholom in Broomall on Friday November 22 at 12:30pm. 

Family and friends are invited to sit Shiva on Saturday and Sunday at 6:00pm at Martin and Annmarie’s home. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to ACCESS Chester Community Center www.accesschester.org

 Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester www.drexelneumannacademy.net

 or Temple Sholom in Broomall www.temple-sholom.org