James P. Burke Sr.

James P. Burke, Sr., 86, a native and lifelong resident of Sheehan Rd., Town of Annsville, passed away, peacefully at his residence, while surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

James was born on September 25, 1939, in the Town of Annsville, in the home that he passed away in, a son of Andrew and Francis Nanabelle Prosser Burke. He received his education at the one room school house on Fish Creek Rd., Town of Annsville. Later, for many years, Mr. Burke was employed as a Union Carpenter, in Bridge Construction, for Carpenters Union Local #12, Syracuse.

On April 10, 1959, James was united in marriage with Arden Faye Comins at the Camden Methodist Church. Following their marriage, the couple settled at the Burke Homestead, on Sheehan Road. Arden, who was a loving wife and mother and who provided for her husband and family as a devoted homemaker, passed away on February 6, 2021.

James was a member of Point Rock United Methodist Church. He was an accomplished self-taught guitar player, who wrote several songs about Tug Hill and the surrounding area.

James will be fondly remembered for his authoring of "A Lifetime on the Hill", a compilation of stories and memories of life on Tug Hill, which was published in 2018.

In addition he was a talented and skilled at welding and fabricating.

James is survived by his children and their spouses, David Burke, Stephen (Rebecca) Burke, Jeffrey (Dodi) Burke, all of Point Rock; nine grandchildren, Brandi Nieto, Jeremi Burke, Ian Burke, Jacob Burke, Stephen Burke, Brandon Burke, Brittany Pizarro, Ashley Russell and Samantha Russell; great-grandchildren, Caitlyn McCanney, Hailey McCanney, James McCanney, Oliviah Burke, Jayden Burke, Tristan Burke, Amarah Burke, Charles J. Burke, Dylan and Luna Burke, Landon Allen, Samuel Pizarro, Hunter Pizarro, Keegan Abbott and Maria Artz; and one brother, Daniel Burke, Point Rock.

Mr. Burke was predeceased by a son, James P. Burke, Jr., on June 25, 2002; a grandson, Dylan Burke, in 2013; sisters, Margaret Curtiss, Gertrude Storms, Francis Philbrick, Isabelle Mallette; and brothers, Thomas, Richard, Byron and Robert "Barney" Burke.

His funeral will be on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 2 p.m., at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler St., Boonville, where Pastor Peter Mowers, from the Point Rock United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Point Rock Cemetery. Calling hours are also on Thursday, October 9, from 12-2 p.m.

For an online message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.