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Wednesday, June 04, 2003

By Al Lowe, Tri-State Sports & News Service

In his role as school custodian, John Burnett drove daily all over the Baldwin-Whitehall School District in his white van delivering boxes, paychecks and books.

Sometimes the South Park resident and district mailman made unique deliveries, like the time his truck was filled with female mannequins. On another occasion it might be frogs.

Mr. Burnett always had a one-liner ready for any occurrence. A 34-year veteran of the district, he referred to himself as "the living legend." John Frombach, the district's director of services, recalled that when late-night TV host Johnny Carson retired, several people asked Mr. Burnett if he were going to take his place.

Mr. Burnett, 59, died of a blood clot on his lungs May 23 at St. Clair Hospital.

He was a custodian at the former Lafferty Elementary School in Baldwin Borough and the former Spitler Elementary School in Whitehall for a decade.

Helen Keeley of Baldwin Borough, former district payroll clerk, remembered he enjoyed show tunes and using his ham radio.

Secretary Juanita Collet of Baldwin Borough said Mr. Burnett was regarded as the district historian due to his long employment with the district.

He was consulted when someone wanted to know about a past practice or where something once was stored.

Mr. Burnett had no survivors, and friends said he regarded the school district co-workers as his family.

A Mass was celebrated May 30 at Nativity Church in South Park.