Thomas M. Burau

Tom was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on November 25, 1947. Tom was the only child of Walter and Jeanne Burau. When Tom was a young child the family moved to Los Angeles, California and they eventually settled in the Eagle Rock area where Tom attended school and graduated from Eagle Rock High School.

Right after High School, Tom joined the Navy. He was assigned to the Sea Bees where he completed his military and construction requirements. He completed his Vietnam tour in 1969.

While in Vietnam, his dad had encouraged him to apply for a job, as a firefighter, with Los Angeles City Fire Department and he did. Tom began his professional career, as a firefighter, in February of 1971. He also met his wife, Mary, on August 2nd of the same year and married her on November 2nd of 1971. They subsequently had 2 children, Melissa and Michael.

Tom loved and appreciated his job as a firefighter, as well as being a father and a husband.  He promoted several times during his 34 year career, first as an Engineer, and then to Captain I and II. He eventually became a Battalion Chief and had the opportunity to travel to New York, as a result of the 9/11 attack. He also received a Medal of Valor in 1994 due to acts of valor during the Northridge earthquake.

Tom was a loving and dedicated son, husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary, a daughter, Melissa Carrion and her son Alex, and a son, Michael and a daughter-in-law Annie and their children, Lily and Abby. He is also survived by numerous cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Jeanne and his son-in-law Guy “Tony” Carrion. 

We will miss his sense of humor, his matter of fact personality, and his dedication to his family.

Will miss him and love him always……

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director