James Burke

James Burke

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, James Burke of Lake George, N.Y., who was called home to the Lord on December 2, 2025, at the age of 85. He spent his final days surrounded by the love and comfort of his large family while living with his daughters in the Buffalo, N.Y., area.

James was born in 1940 in Cooldurragha, County Cork, Ireland, the youngest of thirteen children, to Cornelius (Con) and Katherine (Katie) Burke. Raised on a rural hillside farm, with a view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, he grew up during the difficult years following WWII. He finished school and went on to serve a two-year apprenticeship as a carpenter and craftsman. Being the youngest, he earned a reputation as the "spoiled" baby boy of the family-thanks in part to a bicycle he "peddled the daylights out of" and rode endlessly through the Irish countryside, perhaps foreshadowing the travels that would define his life.

On Easter Sunday in 1959, James left Ireland and "landed on the shores of America," in Boston, Massachusetts, joining siblings and countrymen seeking new opportunities. He stayed temporarily with the Daly cousins and then a short time with sister Betty Holland in Brighton Mass. He soon moved again, and settled with his sister Josephine in New York City-where fate had arranged for James to meet her Galway-born roommate, Kathleen. James, with his baby-blue eyes, Irish songs, and accordion in hand, did not have to look far for love. They married in June of 1965 and began a life of adventure together.

After working in Boston and New York, James and Kathleen ventured to Chicago in the late 1960s, where booming construction work and a vibrant Irish community welcomed them. There, they began growing their family, eventually raising seven children while moving between New England, the Midwest, and the Colorado Rockies, as James pursued new opportunities. A true adventurer at heart, he loved experiencing America's landscapes, meeting new people, and taking in the beauty of the country he had embraced.

In 1987, after many cross-country moves, Kathleen finally convinced him to "settle down" in the Adirondacks, in Lake George, N.Y., where they built their life for the decades that followed.

To say James had stories would be an understatement. A natural storyteller with a generous Irish spirit, he welcomed countless people into his home-both friends, strangers, and anyone who needed a warm meal, a laugh, or a bit of direction. With his Irish brogue, humor, songs, accordion playing, and ever-present hospitality, he made every person feel seen and cared for. Many still speak of how James helped them through hardships, fed them, kept them, encouraged them, or simply brightened their lives. Backed always by Kathleen, the Burke home was known as a place of safety, warmth, and good cheer-often featuring spuds, steak, a pint of Guinness, or "a wee shot of the holy water."

Through the decades of building homes, running Burke Construction, and traveling far and wide, James touched innumerable lives. His love of family, music, adventure, and fellowship leaves a legacy impossible to measure. Though "he'll play the wild rover no more," we will forever hear his voice, his songs, and his laughter-while now knowing he is reunited in heaven with his beloved Kathleen and held in the peace of God's embrace.

James is predeceased by his cherished wife, Kathleen, and by siblings, Cornelius, Margaret, Jeremiah, Patrick, Kit, Molly, Betty, Ann, Josephine, and Michael.

He is survived by his children and their families, Sean Burke and wife Donna, and their son, Ryan, Jim Burke and wife Helena, and their sons, Connor and Dylan, Cornelius Burke and wife Susan, and their daughters, Maggie and Natalie, Patrick Burke and his son, Riley, Catherine (Missy) Musty and husband Mike, and their children, Carolyn, Quentin, Madison, and Machala, Mike Burke and wife Kirsten, and their children, Jasmine, Madeline, and Evelyn, Mary Anne Zelasko and husband Michael, and their children, Emily and Colin

James is also survived by his sisters, Elizabeth O'Donnell (with husband Tomas) of Westport, Co. Mayo, and Siobhan Wells of Woking, Surrey, England, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws across several countries.

May we honor James's life by carrying forward his kindness, humor, generosity, and love of family.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 11th, at the Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 50 Mohican Street, Lake George, NY 12845.

Burial immediately following at Evergreen Cemetery, Birch Ave, Lake George, NY 12845 in Section 2E.

Expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers may take the form of donations in James's memory to the following charity: Roswell Park Alliance Foundation: https://give.roswellpark.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30062b?mfc_pref=T&idb=1661282121&df_id=4341&4341.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=A0E3703E45DC04D280878E9E9F00C9C1

Those who wish to make online condolences may visit sbfuneralhome.com.