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By Jessyka Heredia
Photo, left: The late Ed and Sandy Burr
October 27, 2023 (La Mesa)—
San Diego’s East County has lost one of its most beloved philanthropists and local business owners, Sandy Burr. Burr passed away at Sharp Grossmont Hospital on October 11, 2023, at 84. Sandra Burr and her late husband, Edward “Ed” Gene Burr, founded EDCO, creating a legacy of giving back and engaging with East County that shaped the way EDCO is viewed today as a company for the customers they serve.
Sandy Burr was born in Mentor, Ohio, attended Bowling Green State University, and moved to California in the mid-1960s, where she met her future husband, Ed, in Los Angeles. In 1967, Sandy and Ed moved to La Mesa and founded EDCO. The philosophy of EDCO has always been “We’ll take care of it.” The Burrs attributed their success to the dedicated employees, some of whom are third generation.
If you have been to events inj East County, you have likely seen the EDCO logo as a sponsor. Sandra and Ed Burr were true philanthropists who gave $5 million to Sharp Grossmont Hospital and established the Burr Heart and Vascular Center. As a founding board member of the La Mesa Parks and Recreation Foundation the Burrs started off the foundation’s funding by donating $1 million toward creation of the 23-acre Junior Seau Sports Complex near Parkway Middle School, where generations of families have come over the years to enjoy the fields and amenities.
In 2021, both Ed and Sandy Burr were honored by the California Park and Recreation Department, which presented them with the 2020 Champion of the Community Service Award of Excellence for their commitment to influence and improve the quality of their community through parks and recreation.
In 2004, the Burrs donated to the Boys and Girls Club of East County Foundation towards the construction of the Teen Center at Highwood Park. Then again in 2013 they contributed money towards the construction of a new Clubhouse on school property at La Mesa Arts Academy.
The Burrs started in the waste collection business in 1954 with only one truck. Eventually they developed EDCO and its sister company, Burrtec Waste Industries, which today, is one of the largest family-owned waste collection and recycling companies in the United States. The Burrs were committed to environmental sustainability, including investing in a comingled recycling facility and an anaerobic digestion plant for post-consumer foods and green wastes, also operating a zero-waste fleet run on natural gas which was the first of its kind to roll out to consumers in San Diego County ahead of state mandated timelines.
Sandy was actively involved in the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce for many years. Mary England, La Mesa Chamber President said in a tribute t that she sent out to all Chamber members, “Sandy was involved with the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce in several activities each year. We sought her opinion on several of our signature events, like the Taste of La Mesa. When we had to move to a larger venue, we met with her to gather her thoughts on the potential move. She supported the move and wanted EDCO to become the Title Sponsor of this popular community event.”
The City of La Mesa also honored Ed and Sandy Burr with stars on the city’s downtown walk of fame. which you can still see today.
ECM reached out to EDCO to ask more about Sandra Burr’s passions and accomplishments, and the company provided the following statement. “Sandy’s passions included golf and an extreme love of animals, particularly her pet Shelties she had throughout the years. She had an infectious smile that would light up a room and a witty sense of humor. Sandy’s philanthropy and generosity have touched many across the region, and she was instrumental to many organizations, such as the Jr. Seau Foundation, San Diego Humane Society, San Diego Zoological Society, and Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation. The Sharp Grossmont Heart and Vascular Center is dedicated to the Burr Family.”
Sandy is survived by children John (Yvette) Snyder; Diana (Larry) Snyder, Linda Burr, and Cole (Tracy) Burr; Grandchildren Lisa (Kimberly) Snyder, Kelley Burr, and Katie (Jon) Solek; and great-grandchildren John II, Vivienne, Harrison, Scarlett, Walker, and Beau.
Keeping with Sandy’s wishes, no services will be held, and she will be laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Park alongside Ed. Sandy’s family invites you to celebrate her life by donating to the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation or Lions, Tigers and Bears Animal Sanctuary and Rescue.
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