Charles “Jay” McBurney

Charles “Jay” McBurney, 74, of The Villages, Florida, was peacefully led home by his angels on July 18, 2020 after a brief illness. He was born in New Castle, Pa. to Robert and Alberta (Shanor) McBurney.

At a very young age Jay attended Edwards Military Institute in North Carolina along with his sister Mary Jane. He was taught respect, organization skills and attention to detail that he carried with him throughout his career. As a youth, he attended Knoch High School in Saxonburg, Pa., he worked hard from a young age, loved hot cars and made many friends, some of which he still kept in contact with to this day. He loved talking with his buddies and reminiscing about the good old high school days and racing down the main street of Butler, Pa.; After graduation Jay moved back to New Castle to help his Father run McBurney and Company, an insurance/Real Estate business. He always treasured the many years he was able to spend with his Dad. He quickly learned the business and became President and owner of the company. Jay worked hard and became a pillar of the community, receiving many accolades and awards for his hard work.

Jay retired at age 62 and spent a lot of his days riding his motorcycle with friends. They took many trips all over the country, he rode for 20 years and enjoyed every ride like it was his first. During that time, he met who would be the love of his life, me, Tracy Lutz. In the fall of 2010, we both decided we wanted to live in a warmer climate, so we decided to move to The Villages, Florida.; Jay loved life and loved making friends, so he didn’t have any trouble at all making friends in the neighborhood, some of which he thought of as family. He also found a group of guys to ride with that would become near and dear to him. He eventually gave up his riding helmet and joined the neighborhood golf group, if there was ever anyone so passionate about golfing it was Jay. He made it his mission to learn everything about the game, he always ordered new golf toys and was so excited when his buddies would stop over so he could teach them what he learned. He was also a diehard Steelers fan, he had a Steelers golf cart that was yellow and white with black interior, he called it his “away game cart”, that cart was his pride and joy. He couldn’t wait until fall so he could get the NFL package on TV and watch the games. He always decked out in his Steeler shirt, he put his flag in the front yard and hung his banner in the back.

On October 15, 2011 Jay and Tracy got married on the beach in Sarasota, Florida (Longboat Key). It was a wonderful 3 day celebration with two other couples whom Jay had known for a very long time. Every year Jay and his sweetie set aside one week for vacation in Siesta Key. He couldn’t wait to get there so he could have oysters, clam chowder and margheritas. It was a special place for us, and I will forever treasure the wonderful memories.

Jay was a gentle, loving, thoughtful and passionate man. He loved hard and played hard with all his heart. He loved life to the fullest and always saw the glass half full. Jay was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian faith and a member of North Lake Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed attending church and reading bible verses on his phone every morning before he started his day.

He is survived by his wife, best friend, and forever sweetie, Tracy Lutz McBurney and one stepson, Corey.

He is preceded in death by his Father Robert McBurney, Mother Alberta (Shanor) McBurney, brother Robert Craig McBurney and sister Mary Jane McBurney.

A celebration of life memorial service is being planned for a later date in New Castle, Pa.; in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Operation Homebound at Northlake Presbyterian Church.

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