Ariel Burgos

ARIEL BURGOS Age 71, of Ben Avon, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Beloved brother of Jose Burgos, Jr., Percida I. (the late Howard) Boyles, Rafael A. Burgos, Elving L. Burgos, Rosemary (Stephen) McDermott, and the late Juanita (Misael) Barroso; son of the late Jose and Maria Burgos; also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. After graduating from high school, Ariel was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh, through the Malcolm-Martin-Marcus Scholarship program where he flourished. He was an outstanding student, eventually earning his Baccalaureate degree in Spanish. After a short tenure teaching Spanish in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Ariel settled into a career in Higher Education at the University of Pittsburgh where he auspiciously served until his retirement in 2011. While at Pitt, he worked for years as a Teacher-Counselor in the University Challenge for Excellence Programs (UCEP). He was a beloved advisor and mentor for hundreds of students who were admitted to the program. Nothing gave him more joy than an added assignment to apply his retention skills to support Puerto Rican students who were recruited to Pitt to boost its water sports teams. Ariel combined all these skills to earn the attention of the Pitt School of Arts and Sciences administration, leading to an appointment as Director of Student Support Services (SSS). Ariel's students loved him and through SSS, he championed first generation Hispanics and students of color, helping them to succeed. His peers in the SSS community across the region and the hundreds of students he supported mourn his loss. Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the McDONALD-LINN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE, LLC, 529 California Ave., Avalon 15202. A Funeral Service will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Friday morning at 11 a.m. Interment private.  In recognition of his greatest enjoyment, the family is asking that donations be made to Latinos for Education (latinosforeducation.org), in lieu of flowers. Please view the family's online guestbook: www.mcdonald-linn.com 

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