John Patrick BURKE

BURKE, John Patrick
John Patrick Burke was born on June 4, 1931 in Gallup, New Mexico and died peacefully in Austin, Texas on June 30, 2015 surrounded by the love of many family, friends, and former students. John was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 35 years, Pattie Cotter Slattery Burke, whom he cherished and adored. He was also preceded in death by parents, Francis "Frank" J. Burke, Loneta Johnson Burke, Mary Noonen Burke and Edith Burke; brother Michael Francis Burke; sister Dorothy Burke Fitz-Gerald and her husband Gerald Fitz-Gerald; and sister-in-law Mary Ellen Burke.

After graduating from St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe in 1948, John joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers in Lafayette, LA. His Christian Brothers "Tour of Duty" included: Principal of De La Salle High School in New Orleans, LA; Principal of Hanson High School in Franklin, LA; Director of the Juniorate in Lafayette; Director of the Scholasticate in Santa Fe; and Principal of Mullen High School in Denver, CO. Bringing excellence to teaching and school administration, John embraced every assignment with enthusiasm and professionalism. John enjoyed company of former students in his retirement, including visits with Armand Gonsoulin and his wife Karin, Tom Zigal and his wife Linda, Brother Louis Welker, and the late Brother Andre Lacoste. The Christian Brothers were a second family to "Brother John," and it gave him great joy to present a large donation in 2014 as a way of saying "thank you" for his first-rate LaSallian education and 31 years of FSC community.

John and Pattie married on June 2, 1978 at the Franciscan Casa in Scottsdale, Arizona. They enjoyed a wonderful life together in Scottsdale before retiring to Austin in 2008. A highly successful New York Life Insurance Agent and Financial Planner for 30 years, John found great purpose and joy in helping people plan for their future. Active in the All Saints Catholic Newman Center at Arizona State University, John and Pattie taught marriage preparation courses and planned church renovations. They had wonderful friends at All Saints and were especially close to the Dominican priests and priest friends in the Diocese of Gallup.

Throughout his life, John answered to many endearing names: "Jack" to siblings, Kathleen Burke Anthony, Michael Burke, Joseph Burke, Dorothy Burke Fitz-Gerald, and James (Jim) Burke, and their spouses - affectionately called "the outlaws" - Alexander Anthony, Virginia Giles Burke, Mary Ellen Burke, Gerald Fitz-Gerald, and Gay Burke. Jack loved his siblings beyond measure and remained in contact, always calling each on their birthday. Jack was very fond of Uncle Tom and Aunt Theo Noonen, cousins Michael, John, Tim, Joyce, Theo Judith, and their spouses, children, and grandchildren.

"Uncle Jack" is remembered by nieces and nephews Patti Burke DeConcini, Claire Anthony Toth, Colleen Burke, Bridget Burke, Sean Anthony, Michael Burke, Heather Anthony Turner, Brian Burke, Sean Burke, Timothy Burke, Megan Anthony Southard, Gerald "Trey" Fitz-Gerald, Erin Fitz-Gerald, and Jessica Burke; and their spouses and children.

"Papa John" is cherished by his sons and their families: Kevin and Lindsey Slattery of Pensacola, FL; Patrick Slattery of Austin, TX; Bill and Michele Parks of Churchville, PA; Bob Parks of Baton Rouge, LA; and cousin Donna Jones Ferrell and her family in Lafayette, LA; grandchildren: Michelle Slattery and Charles Page of Austin, Joshua Slattery of Austin, Katie Slattery of Lafayette, LA, and their mother Cheryl Friberg of Lafayette, LA; David Slattery, Daniel Slattery, Rebecca Slattery, and Joseph Slattery of Pensacola, FL; Bill and Kayleen Parks of Gulf Shores, AL and Tyler Parks of New York, NY; and great-grandchildren: Kaiser and Genevieve Lamson of Lafayette, LA and Danielle Slattery of Pensacola, FL.

For years "Papa John" was cared for daily by his grandson Joshua Slattery. John enjoyed Wii Bowling, French lessons, and daily outdoor power chair tours with Josh "around the campus" of his assisted living homes. John and Josh were an inspirational team; they provided comfort and entertainment to fellow residents, including monthly classical concerts at Renaissance Assisted Living and Buckner Villas in Austin. Andre Rieu was a particular favorite! Even when John was sick or suffering, he always responded to the question "How are you doing today?" with an upbeat smile and hearty "much better!" Despite his lifelong leg injury, John wrestled with the grandchildren, ran stairs, and worked an intense schedule as a high school principal and a New York Life agent. Always a teacher and a gentleman, John inspired resilience and dedication in all!

In the past year, John fulfilled a lifelong dream to cruise Alaska and the Caribbean with the help of Bill and Michele Parks, Josh Slattery, and his sister Kathleen - giving him much joy.

John enjoyed sports, politics, history, opera, and the Catholic Church, especially political sparring and lively conversation. He had selected his favorite candidate for 2016 and was happy to let everyone know her name. The Saints were his favorite NFL team. A staunch Irish Catholic to the core, John loved Notre Dame Sports most of all. He and Pattie enjoyed the monthly National Catholic Reporter and nightly PBS News Hour. They were members of The Call to Action; early advocates of women's ordination in the Catholic Church; and active at weekly Mass, communion and Catholic prayer groups in Scottsdale and in Austin. John and Pattie had a very interesting and unique mix of traditional and progressive philosophies which they shared over their favorite French Wine, Vouvrey.

A Mass and memorial celebration of John's life will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2016 followed by a family pilgrimage to Abiquiu, New Mexico to scatter his ashes near the Monastery of Christ in the Desert with his beloved Pattie.

The family would like to thank the amazing medical professionals who supported John throughout his illness, especially Dr. Larry Kravitz, Dr. Patience Reading, the staff of St. David's Hospital, Asera Care Hospice, Renaissance Assisted Living, and Buckner Villas Campbell Center. We are grateful for his compassionate care givers and the special attention of friends and family members including Josh Slattery, Patrick Slattery, Mike Coughlan, Debbie Deweese, Heather Anthony Turner, Megan Southard, and Claire Toth who provided daily assistance to John with meals and activities. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. La Salle Auxiliary of Covington, Louisiana or a charity of your choice.