William H. Burke

Attorney William H. Burke, age 75, of Fairview Township, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at Saint Vincent Health Center. Born March 8, 1936, he was a son of the late George and Veronica (Gettman) Burke. He attended St. Edwards High School, Shamokin, Pa., King's College, Wilkes Barre, Pa., and Harvard Law School, specializing in tax and corporate law. Beginning his law practice in 1961, Attorney Burke worked for many years in the offices of Silin, Eckert and Burke, in Erie. He was the former co-owner, with his brother Raymond, of Kaumagraph Corp., in Wilmington, Del. and Flint, Mich. Atty. Burke was a member of the YMCA Businessmen's Club, the Irish Cultural Society, Erie Historical Society, Saint Jude the Apostle Church, Erie Yacht Club, Erie Club, and the former Aviation Club. He was a board member of the former Erie Independence House, and was recently a board member for Community Action TV. He enjoyed his J-44 sailboat and had been a member of the M.O.R.C and P.E.R.F. sailing fleets for many years. An avid reader and author of works on American Irish history, he also enjoyed fishing, traveling and playing basketball. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Mary Louise (Wiercinski) Burke; his children, Mary, Bridget and Bill; his grandchildren, Rachel, Karen and Dillon, his daughter-in-law, Jennifer, and son-in-law, Gary. Also his brother, Raymond Burke, sisters-in-law Suzanne Burke and Caroline Hammer, and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call Friday from 12 noon until 4 p.m. at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street at Greengarden Boulevard, and may attend a prayer service there Saturday at 10:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Jude the Apostle Church at 11 o'clock. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences to www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com