Merritt Burke III

1943 - 2015

Merritt Burke III

AGE: 71 • Lewes

Merritt Burke III, "Sam", of Lewes, DE passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015 peacefully at home on Lewes Beach with his family at his side. He was born in Milford DE on October 28, 1943, son of the late Merritt Burke Jr. and Katherine Pfrommer Burke. After working for several years as a prosecutor, known to many as "the attorney general below the canal".

Sam then continued his career practicing criminal law with Brown, Shields, and Chasnoff.In the early 1990's he resumed his career with the state as a public defender where he practiced law until he retired to care for his late wife. Sam was an outdoorsman at heart, who especially enjoyed spending time at Broadkill Beach hunting with, and teaching his family and friends about nature. He also enjoyed teaching the lessons of life to anyone who would listen. No task was ever to difficult for Sam. One of his favorite quotes was " work is the rehabilitation of mankind". When not on Lewes or Broadkill beach he would be found working on his farm at Fort Saulsbury tending to his many animals, especially his champion Kiko goats.

Sam also enjoyed travelling with his Dear Friend Trish whether it be a drive in the country or a trip around the world. Trish's companionship really put the wind back in Sam's sails. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his wife Patricia Meade Thompson Burke, "Patty" on October 5, 2012. In addition to his Dear Friend Trish he is survived by four sons, Merritt Burke IV and his wife Linda of Milton, DE, Laurence Layton Burke of Broadkill Beach, DE, Thompson Asbury Burke and his wife Lauren of Greenwood, DE, and Christopher Meade Burke of Broadkill Beach, DE; six grandchildren; two sisters; Kannie Woods and husband Bill of Oxford, MD and Deborah Bower Burke of Boston, MA; his loving dog Bess and five grand dogs, "and Special Friend Buckshot".

Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at 11:00 AM, St. George's Episcopal Chapel, 20274 Beaver Dam Road at Route 23, Harbeson, DE, where friends may visit one hour prior to services. Friends may also visit on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE.

Burial will be private at All Saints Cemetery, Angola, DE. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Civil War Land Trust, 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005. Please visit Mr. Burke's Life Memorial Webpage and sign the online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.