April 20, 1967 - March 12, 2022 Surrounded by his family, on March 12, 2022, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Patrick Leonard Burke, one of this earth's many beautiful souls, after a battle with cancer, had left our physical world and journeyed into the most cherished and everlasting place of our hearts and minds. Many have loved him for his indefatigable optimism, his loyal friendship, his commitment to community service, and his warmhearted generosity. Patrick was born in Royal Oak, MI, on April 20, 1967, to David Burke and Charlene Magee. Soon the family moved to Richmond, VA, where Patrick would spend the remainder of his childhood and the beginning of his adult life. Three years later, Patrick's younger brother Neal, was born; and thus the adventures of the Burke brothers began. After graduating from Clover Hill High School, Patrick attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, where he earned his bachelor's degree in small business administration. After college, Patrick spent a few years volunteering in an after-school program in the Gilpin Court neighborhood of Richmond. That experience led him to eventually working as a director at Carver Promise--a program for the inner-city youth of Richmond that mentored and motivated students from elementary through high school to stay in school until they graduated with the promise that they would continue to receive the organization's support throughout their college education. Patrick met his wife, YThanh, when she was a medical student at Virginia Commonwealth UniversityMedical College of Virginia. He moved to California with YThanh for her residency. They got married in San Diego, California, and subsequently enjoyed eighteen years of a marriage that was a true loving partnership. Their two children Clarissa and Theodore were born on 2006 and 2009 and completed their family. Patrick shined as a father--active in his kids' many endeavors and a frequent volunteer at their school, Carden Arbor View School, in Upland, CA. Long after his move to California, Patrick kept his finger on the pulse of his hometown. He continued to read the Richmond Times-Dispatch regularly and followed his beloved VCU Rams men's basketball team with great interest. Patrick is survived by his wife, YThanh Duy Nguyen; his daughter, Clarissa An Burke; and his son, Theodore Quang Burke. He is also survived by his mother, Charlene Magee; his stepfather, Ron Magee; his brother, Neal Burke and family; his stepbrothers: Mike Magee and family, Chris Magee and family. Patrick is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, My Thi Luu and Danh Duy Nguyen; sisters and brothers-in-law: My-Dung Nguyen and family, Karen Schmidt and family, AnhThu Nguyen and family, Lien Vo and family, Chinh Nguyen and family. Furthermore, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Patrick was preceded in death by his father, David Burke; his maternal grandmother, Laverna LaFortune. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the charities favored by Patrick and his wife: Abundant Living Outreach (9269 Utica Ave # 175, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730); Claremont Community School of Music (951 West Foothill Boulevard, Claremont, CA 91711),
https://www.claremontmusic.org; and Communities in Schools of Richmond (100 Everett Street #2, Richmond, VA 23224),
https://www.cisofrichmond.org . Patrick's Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, March 23rd at La Villa Bella, 792 West Arrow Highway, Suite B, Upland, CA 91786, from 11 am to 3pm. Service will start at 11:30 am.
Published by Daily Bulletin on Mar. 22, 2022.