Edward A. Burke

Edward A. Burke, 81, of Worcester, died Wednesday, August 20, 2008 in the Christopher House after an illness.

He was born in Worcester, son of the late James and Johanna (Fournier) Burke and lived in Worcester all his life.

He leaves his wife of almost 60 years, Kathleen T. (Doran) Burke; three daughters, Kathleen T. and her husband Robert Warchol of Chicopee, Maureen A. and her husband Timothy J. Dunn, Sr. of Worcester and Eileen P. and her husband Douglas Doyle of Westborough; three sons, Richard F. Burke and daughter-in-law Norinne Burke of Worcester; James P. Burke of Worcester, Edward T. and his wife Monica Burke of Fort Mill, S.C. and eleven grandchildren, Robert and his wife Naomi Warchol, Brian Warchol, Juliann and her husband William Pelletier, Meaghan Burke, Timothy Dunn Jr. and his fiancée Cathleen Scott, Katherine Dunn, Kaylen, Hannah and Patrick Burke, and Conor and Erin Doyle; four great grandchildren, Julia, Helena and Burke Warchol and Timothy John Dunn, III; a sister-in-law, Sister Richard Francis of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mont Marie, Holyoke and several nephews and nieces. He also leaves a very close friend for many years, Al Gaucher. He was predeceased by his siblings, William, Robert, Jack and Eileen Burke and his stepfather, Leo Desjardins.

Mr. Burke entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served on the USS St. Paul in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Upon returning from World War II, he graduated from Commerce High School. After marrying Kathleen in October of 1948, he worked as an appliance salesman at Sears and Roebuck until 1955 when he started with the New England Telephone Co. He was a Central Office Technician when he retired in 1989 after 34 years.

Ed served as past President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the parish council of the former St. Ann's Church, a lector and member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and a member of the Men's Club of the former Sacred Heart Academy.

Ed was a member and past President of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Worcester Telephone Pioneers Life Members Club, IBEW Local 2325, the Worcester Men of Song and the Greendale Retired Men's Club.

Ed was involved with many volunteer endeavors, his favorite being the "Talking Book" for the Perkins School for the Blind. Ed enjoyed gardening and cooking. His favorite pastime was singing. There was always a song on his lips. Seldom would there be a gathering with Ed there that didn't break into a song or two. His harmony was captivating.

The family would like to thank the St. Vincent Dialysis Center, Med Star Ambulance and the Christopher House of Worcester.

Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Sunday, August 24, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be Monday, August 25, from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Fatima Church, 43 Belmont St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph, Mont Marie, 34 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke 01040.