Burke J. Soileau

Dexter - Burke J. Soileau, 91, went peacefully on December 2, 2025, to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born in Washington, Louisiana where he lived his early life until his family moved to Opelousas, Louisiana. Burke graduated from the Academy of The Immaculate Conception in 1952 and shortly when he turned 18, he joined the U.S. Air Force which turned into a 20 plus year career! He met the love of his life and soul mate Barbara (Clukey) at the Sebec Lake Rollerland in Dover-Foxcroft when he jumped in front of her and bought her ticket, not knowing he had just bought a ticket for life! They married in 1955 and had one son, Randall.

Burke was an accomplished guitar player and singer and during the time he was stationed at the 765th Radar Base in Charleston, Maine. he would play and sing for the residents of the Hibbard Nursing Home in Dover-Foxcroft when they had their wine and cheese party. Also he played in the Minstrel Shows which were popular at that time! He was always willing to help out in any way he could and for many years he was the organizer for the Memorial Day Parade in Dover-Foxcroft, he belonged to the American Legion Post 29 in Dover, the K of C and was a 4th degree Knight at Dexter, Maine unit!

During Burke's military career, they traveled extensively being stationed in Maine, Louisiana, California (twice), N. Dakota, Colorado, Alabama and Teheran, Iran! Burke also had two remote assignments to Pakistan where the family couldn't accompany him! After his 20 plus years in the military, he was still a young man of 38 and he was undecided what to do with his life so he decided to go back to school at S.M.V.T.I. in Portland where he majored in Electronics! He graduated in 1975 and worked with Raymond Lyford as a TV Technician in Dover-Foxcroft for a while, also at Guilford Industries as manager of the Mending Department until he retired in 1990. That is when he and Barbara bought a home in Zephyrhills, Florida! They traveled for many years living in Florida winters and at their Camp at Garland Pond in Maine summers! In later years they sold their home in Florida and built a home on 9 acres in Sebec, Maine and lived there until age made it impossible so they sold and moved to a Seniors Complex in Dexter, Maine.

Burke was most proud of his Sports Memorabilia, he had a room especially for it at their home and he would love showing it to anyone that may be interested! He also was instrumental with his connections to the Major Leagues to acquire tickets for Tyler Wintle and his family of Dexter so Tyler who had terminal brain cancer was able to go to New York to see his favorite team, the N.Y. Yankees! A few years later, Burke read about a young fellow from Bangor (Jeff McIntire) who had a debilitating lifetime condition requiring him to be on a ventilator in order to stay alive and how he wished he could go to see the Yankees just once before he died! Again, Burke got in touch with his Major League contacts, and told them about Jeff and they were more than happy to help by sending tickets for Jeff and his family! So Jeff's dream became a reality! Burke also was able to get Yankee Memorabilia for young Jonathan Mullis from Dover-Foxcroft who had terminal brain cancer!

Burke will be remembered for his quick wit, his determination to always do the best he could whether it was during his military career or in any endeavor that he chose to do! He was a disciplinarian and he wanted the best from all as well as setting a good example for others!

Burke is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; his son, Randall; a sister, Gayle and husband, Charles of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and several nieces and nephews in Louisiana and Texas. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Claude and Anna Soileau; sisters, Betty (Soileau) Valin and Velma (Soileau) Thibodeaux and husband, Percy, all of Opelousas, Louisiana.

A memorial mass will be held in the spring of 2026. Burial will be in the Dover Cemetery, Dover-Foxcroft. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.