Bernard John "Burkie" Burke

Bonita Springs, FL-Bernard John "Burkie" Burke passed into eternal life with his loving wife by his side after battling cancer.

John had a love for hockey and started playing at an early age. He attended Cardigan Mountain School and Cushing Academy. Bowling Green State University recruited John where he met loyal lifetime friends. Then John pursued a career as a Division I Collegiate hockey coach for over 25 years. John always had a positive impact on the players as he genuinely cared about their well-being as athletes and individuals. Also, John worked for Lawson Products as a sales representative.

John was a humble individual with a wonderful sense of humor. All will remember John for his dry sense humor and smile. John was an avid golfer and enthusiastic sports fan. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, the Adirondacks, sunsets, beach, traveling, and the Saratoga racetrack.

John was a loving, and devoted husband to Mary Galluzzo Burke for over 23 years. The couple met at Siro's in Saratoga in 1999. Mary was his best kept secret in the beginning and later became his pride and joy in life.

John was a thoughtful son of the late Bernard and Jacqueline Burke; caring brother of the late Joseph Burke, Kristen Burke, and Thomas Burke (Tracey); cherished and favorite son-in-law of the late Lucy Galluzzo; and fond brother-in-law of Anthony Galluzzo (Kathy), lighthearted uncle to Kevin Burke, Jillian Burke, Michael Burke, Taylor Grant, Sara Burke, Philip Galluzzo (Hilary Graves), Patrick Galluzzo (Jessica Ayres), Christoper Galluzzo, Elisabeth Shedd (Daniel), and Brooke Baglione. Furthermore, John had playful conversations with Eben and Nola Galluzzo-who nicknamed him Uncle Bob-as well as with Augustus Galluzzo, Scarlett Shedd, and Mackenzie Shedd.

Mary would like to thank family and friends from the north and south for their support over the past two years, and the phenomenal medical team and staff: Dr. Jay Herbst and Dr. Alexander Herbst, On-Spot Dermatology; Dr. Christopher Lobo, Florida Cancer, Dr. Daniel Dosoretz, Advocate Radiology Oncology, Dr. Michael Ivan, Dr. Ruham Nasany, Dr. Leonel Hernandez Aya at the University of Miami, and Yvonne Barillas and Xiomara Socarras, Concierge Care at Home. John felt blessed to have renowned and compassionate doctors who took a chance on him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John's family Saturday, February 7, 2026 8:00 am to 9:30 am at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only.

Funeral services will immediately follow at 10:00 am at The Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell Street (Rev. Kenneth J. Doyle Way), Albany, NY 12208 where John's Funeral Mass will be celebrated.

The Mass will be streamed at https://youtube.com/live/1NgzLT6B-tA?feature=share

The Rite of Committal will be held Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:00 am at Calvary Cemetery, 250 High Street, Waltham, MA 02453

To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

Donations may be sent to the Sylvestri Comprehensive Cancer Center in memory of John to find a cure for a rare and aggressive cancer – metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Contributions may be made directly to University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center · GiveCampus to advance cancer research. If you would like to send a check, please mail to: Sylvestri Development; 1120 NW 14th Street (M867) – 9th Floor; Miami, Florida 33136.