Lt. Col. Thomas Edward Force-Ret.

Ret. Lt. Col Thomas Edward "Tom" Burke, 87, passed away peacefully on December 16, in Fairfax, Virginia.

Born on January 24, 1938, in Albany, New York, Tom was the son of Elizabeth "Bessie" Harder Burke and John

Burke. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy before earning his commission from the United States Air

Force Academy in 1960. His commitment to service and learning continued with graduate studies at Texas A&M

University in 1968.

Tom proudly served his country as a pilot in the United States Air Force for twenty years, retiring in 1980 with the

rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After graduating from the Academy, Tom began his career flying C-135 cargo aircraft

with the Military Airlift Command, holding various flying positions and traveling the world while delivering people

and cargo to remote locations. During the Vietnam War, he transitioned to flying the O-2B (the military version of

the Cessna 337 Skymaster) on Psychological Operations (PSYOP) missions-delivering materials of a very different

and unique nature. Tom's love and pride for the Air Force was evident in everything he did, demonstrated through

his unwavering sense of duty and discipline. He lived these values both in and out of uniform, teaching his family to

live with grace, gratitude, and thankfulness. After retiring from active duty, Tom continued to serve by working for

DSA for many years and later founding and operating TEB Associates where he did airplane valuations.

Tom was devoted to his beloved wife, MaryEllen, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. The Air Force allowed

Tom to bring his family to many new places, where they made lasting friendships with friends around the world,

especially what he considered his extended Irish family. He and Mary built a long, loving life together with their

children. As a dad, he was a constant presence in all the kids' lives, coaching teams, volunteering at the schools,

and teaching them all the importance of loving your family and always putting them first. By the way he lived, he

showed his children how to build lives rooted in strength, faith, and purpose.

He was known as Papa for the last 29 years and he loved that role. He took pride in all his grandkids, and he loved

being an important part of their lives. He spent time playing games with them, watching their sporting events, and

always trying to get them on the golf course to pass along the game he loved.

A man of intellect and curiosity, Tom enjoyed building his own computers and televisions, yet his favorite place was

always on the golf course. He and his mother loved the game deeply. He started the Grandma Bessie Annual Golf

Tournament in 2000, allowing him to share this love of golf with his family. Playing with his grandchildren brought

him particular joy. The tournament was held at Springfield Golf and Country Club where Tom and MaryEllen were

members for 45 years. Tom spent many days enjoying the golf, drinks and friendships developed there. Something

else that brought him joy in recent years was the "Starbucks crew", a group of veterans who met for Friday coffee.

This evolved into weekly lunches, and Tom was grateful for the fellowship and camaraderie he found.

Tom's faith was a cornerstone of his life. A devout Catholic, he was a long-standing member of both St. Bernadette

Catholic Church in Springfield, Virginia, and Church of the Nativity in Burke, Virginia. He also found fellowship

through the Knights of Columbus.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, MaryEllen Burke; daughters Kathleen Snydstrup (John), Aileen Tubbs (Rick),

Jennifer Burke, and Katie Stribling (Tom); son John Burke (Kate); grandchildren Bridget Snydstrup (Ketch Smith),

Maeve Snydstrup, Maggie Tiroly, Celeste Tiroly, Isabel Tiroly, Sheena Tiroly, Anna Stribling, Tommy Stribling,

Elizabeth Stribling, Owen Burke, Liam Burke, Erin Burke, and Brendan Burke; great-granddaughter Ruth Tiroly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers, Bob, George, and John, and his beloved daughter

Elizabeth Tiroly.

Tom faced Parkinson's disease with courage and determination, never letting it keep him from living his life. His

legacy lives on through the many lives he touched-with a love that knew no bounds and embraced all as family.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him. The wake will be Sunday December 21 4pm-6pm at Fairfax

Memorial Funeral Home 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday

December 22 10:30am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA. Following the

Mass please join us at the Springfield Golf and Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to th e Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.