Norman R. Burkhart, 81, of Vero Beach, FL, passed on May 27, 2019.

Norman, the eldest of five children, was born to the late Albert and Evelyn Burkhart on May 16, 1938, in Bronx, NY.  He graduated from St. Helena's High School in 1956 where he was an all-around athlete.

In 1960, he graduated from Fort Schuyler SUNY Maritime College earning a BS degree in Marine Transportation and was awarded "Most Outstanding Athlete."

Upon graduation, he joined the United States Navy and was commissioned as a lieutenant and went on to lead a successful career in the maritime industry.

Norman married Helen Baird in 1961 and together they raised three lovely children.  He is survived by his wife Helen; his children Therese Polvan, Richard (Maria) Burkhart, Kerry (James Michael) Weed; his four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Friday, June 7 ^th, at St. Helen Catholic Church.  Burial will take place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Kidney Fund ( www.kidneyfund.org ).

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Norman's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com .