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BORN
1941
DIED
2023
FUNERAL HOME
Kevin Burke Obituary
Kevin was born on Bell Island NFLD in 1941, the oldest of 8 children. In his late teens Kevin hitchhiked to Ontario to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball. This relocation led to a once in a lifetime meeting with Eleanor Chaplin. The marriage would endure almost 50 years, with Kevin passing suddenly 2 days after their 49th wedding anniversary. Kevin's life was filled with proud moments and experiences, but his love and adoration for his wife and family was a constant in his life.
To know Kevin was to know a man who represented a past generation. He was strong, hardworking, principled, confident and an amazing story teller. When he walked in a room, you knew he was there. He was observant and knew life like no other. His advice, guidance and knowledge of the world were unique, born from hard fought experiences in the ring, on the diamond and in the streets that lent his voice and advice true significance.
Kevin was hardworking beyond all else, working for the Halton District School Board for 40 years. He took pride and enjoyed his work as a custodian. He took great satisfaction when he would spend a hot summer day in July painting classrooms for his teachers, so the school was ready for them in the fall. Kevin loved his job and the people he worked with, to the point where he never retired!
Kevin will be known to many in town for his dedication to sports and specifically baseball in Georgetown. As the original coach and founder of the Georgetown Eagles, Kevin believed so strongly in a group of 8 young talented ball players that he coached them weekly for 3 years before they were allowed to enter a regular intercounty hardball league. Pushing beyond all obstacles, this group of boys would become the Georgetown Junior Eagles and rep baseball in Georgetown was born. His love for the game is a symbol and a metaphor for his life, and maybe yours too:
The Baseball Blessing
May you always find your arm slot,
May all your swings be pure,
Through every bruise and bad hop,
I hope that you endure,
May your change up find the strike zone,
May your blooper find a hole,
Let all your dreams hit down the line,
Stay just inside the pole,
May the wind blow out when you're at bat,
This is my wish for you
And if you're ever in a jam,
I hope that you turn two.
Kevin will be sadly missed by friends, family and all who knew him.
Friends were be received at the Jones Funeral Home (11582 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown) on Friday, January 6th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Catholic Church (14400 Argyll Rd, Georgetown) on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Reception followed at Holy Cross Church Hall. In memory contributions to Halton Hills Minor Baseball Association or a Charity of Your Choice would be appreciated by the family.
To send expressions of sympathy please visit www.jonesfuneralhome.co
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Memories and Condolences
for Kevin Burke
Sponsored by Jones Funeral Home.
7 Entries
Cathy A Wilson
January 30, 2023
Many Condolences.
The Halton Hills Minor Baseball Association (HHMBA) plans to implement a commemorative award to a young baseball player in the memory of Kevin Burke annually. If at all possible, we would love some more details about Kevin and his dedication to baseball to share with each year's recipient of the award.
Executive Committee, HHMBA
Jillian Agnew
January 10, 2023
Please accept my sincere condolences. I had the privilege of working with Kevin for 5 years at Harrison. Being in my early 20's and he around 70, we formed a very quick and unique friendship. He was full of wisdom, incredible stories, and endless jokes for me every day. He would come into my classroom early, each morning, to run the water as the building was old and I came to truly love these moments. Kevin is the type of person who comes into your life and leaves an impact for the rest of it. His work ethic was beyond admirable, never complaining or missing a step to help us teachers. He was there for us for anything at all. Whether it was salting the icy sidewalks to keep us safe or helping get the flying bird out of the school, that had flown in through the front doors. Or that time my entire classroom flooded because the toilets overflowed (again, the old plumbing). It was never a dull moment working with Kevin and I mean that in the most positive of ways. He was so proud of his school, and we were proud of him. What a blessing that I had 5 years of seeing him every single day and to become a friend. They say memories last a lifetime and moments don't last forever. I will cherish the memories of my friendship with Kevin, forever. RIP my friend. Until we meet again...
MacAdam family
January 7, 2023
Please accept our condolences for the loss of Kevin, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts are especially with our niece and nephew Jeanette and Kyle and our great- nephews Callum and Declan.
Dorothy Vandermolen
January 6, 2023
Kevin was always so helpful when education required more messy means of learning. He took great pride in Harrison School. He will be missed.
Gloria ramsay
January 6, 2023
My condolences on Kevin's passing. Gloria Ramsay
Don Kavanagh
January 4, 2023
Kevin and I went to St. Kevin´s school on bell island many years ago. He was a very good friend with a great sense of humour . I am saddened by his passing. Rest in my peace my friend. Don Kavanagh.
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