Walter L. Burke

Walter L. Burke NATICK Walter L. Burke, 82, of Natick, passed away peacefully at his home with family at his side, on Saturday, June 7, 2008, after a period of declining health. The son of the late John F. and J. Christina (Malloy) Burke, he was born in Natick, educated at St. Patrick School and was a graduate of Natick High School. A Marine Corps veteran of the Pacific Theatre in World War II, Mickey as he was affectionately known, was employed with General Motors of Framingham, before serving four decades with the Natick Police Department, retiring as sergeant in 1990. Throughout his life, Mr. Burke was interested and active in town affairs and government, having served many years as a town meeting member and having been elected to several terms as trustee of Leonard Morse Hospital. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Claire (Fahey) Burke, and their children, Walter L. Jr. and his wife, Mary Anne, of Greenwich, Conn., Julia Richard and her husband, Christopher, of Monte Sereno, Calif., Thomas F. and his wife, Christine, of Keene, N.H.; grandchildren Walter L. III, Michael, Kevin and Caitlin of Greenwich, Brian, Duncan, and Vaughn of Monte Sereno, and Jack, Colin, and Alison of Keene. In addition to many nieces and nephews, Mr. Burke leaves his brother, Robert L. Burke and his wife, Marylyn, of Medway, and in-laws Irene Burke of Worcester, George Graham of Englewood, Fla., Richard of Natick, Leroy and Theresa Fahey of Westford, James and Dorothy Fahey of Newport News, Va. He was also the son-in-law of the late Elizabeth Fahey and Vincent and Phyllis Fahey of Natick. He was the brother of the late John, Edward, Bernadette, William, and Jean Burke, and Mary Burke Graham. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass in St. Patricks Church, Thursday, June 12, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Patricks Cemetery, Natick. Visiting hours in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home (www.everettfuneral.com), 4 Park St. at Natick Common, will be on Wednesday, June 11, from 3 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Natick Visiting Nurse Association, 209 W. Central St., Natick, MA 01760, or to Beacon Hospice, 160 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.