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Kieran Burke Obituary
As a young man stocking shelves and bagging groceries, Kieran Burke began a life-long love affair with the wine business. While working his way through Sacramento State College, Casey sold wine in a local market. He then moved to wholesale distribtion and eventually became Vice President of Young's Market Company.
Casey met Patti Fetzer in 1979 on a sales trip to her family's winery. They married in 1983. In 1997, Patti and Casey took ownership of a 126-acre property, formerly owned by the Fetzer family, in Mendocino County. Casey named the land in honor of his wife, Patianna Vineyard. They converted the organic vineyard to biodynamic, and in 2004 they launched their Patianna wine brand.
An amateur astronomer and bird fancier, Casey loved farming and nature as much as he enjoyed selling wine. "One gives me a relationship with the land and the other with people," he said. An avid golfer, Casey continuously worked on his game and took great pleasure in many golfing adventures with his friends.
"Casey had a passion and appreciation for excellence," said his brother Ted. "He was well respected because he respected people." Friends will remember Casey for his gracious and generous personality, his endless thirst for knowledge, and his ever-present sense of humor. The wine industry will remember him as a natural leader and pioneering farmer in Mendocino County.
In addition to his wife, Patti Fetzer Burke, Casey is survived by his father, Joseph Elliott Burke of Carmichael, brother Ted Burke of Santa Cruz, and sister, Portia Burke Tanaka of Sacramento.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Organic Farming Research Foundation, P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; www.ofrf.org. Or to the Biodynamics Farming & Gardening Association, 25844 Butler Rd., Junction City, OR. 97448 www.biodynamics.com.
A celebration of Casey's life will take place Thursday, April 14, at 11:30 AM, at the Alexander Valley Community Hall, 6650 Highway 128, Geyserville.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kieran Burke
Robert Smith
March 29, 2021
I was a close friend of "Casey" in the mid 1970's. We were both members of the Sacramento State SAE fraternity. We golfed and bowled periodically. We played on the fraternity basketball team together. I remember saying "hi" to him many times while he was working hard bagging groceries at Bel Air Mkt.(Arden/Eastern--Carmichael)He was a wonderful participant in my own personal wedding in 1977. I was devastated when I heard about the loss of Mr. Burke.
Loved him dearly,
Bob Smith
Nina Whitcomb
April 25, 2005
I am truly saddened that I will never get the chance to know Casey in adulthood as I knew him when we were children. My heartfelt condolences go out to all who mourn him. To Patti, Joe, Portia, Ted and their families, I cannot begin to imagine the amount of pain you are enduring after losing such an exceptional husband, brother, father, and uncle. Please know that Casey will be with us always, eternally watching over his family and friends in the same manner that he did in life. And that over time, the things that we presently remember that bring us so much sorrow, will in time, bring smiles to our faces, and joy to our hearts when we think of them. Casey’s memory will live on through the stories that are told, the business that he and Patti created, and most importantly, through the people who loved him. I will keep the families in my thoughts and prayers.
With all my love, Nina
Cristy Norment
April 15, 2005
Even though I only knew KC for a few years, it felt like a life long friendship. He understood what really matters in life and I'm thankful to have been a part of his...
Charles Cusack
April 15, 2005
As first cousin to Casey's dad, Joe Burke, Barbara and I were devastated to learn of his tragic passing. We knew Casey during his first 29 years as Sacramento residents. Having moved to Oregon 29 years ago we have not enjoyed the privilege of staying in touch or knowing Patti. Obviously a fine, thoughtful, humerous, intelligent guy, exceptionally well liked, successful in business and harboring commendable goals in his winery venture, what a shame that his life with Patti has been cut short by this tragic accident. Our hearts go out to Patti, Joe, Portia, Ted and families. May we hope that the winery he had planned may go forth as a fitting and ever lasting tribute to his memory.
Elliott Joesph Marsh
April 14, 2005
Cousin Casey is gone from sight. Very tragic news. My heart goes out to the Fetzer family and the Burkes,and all that mourn him. Being 3000 miles apart, I never had an opportunity to meet Casey in his adult life, only when we were kids.I wish I had gotten to know this great man better.Over the years, my Mom Nina, kept us all well informed of the family, and Uncle Joe and all the Burkes are very well respected by the east coast gang of relatives.
May I share this perspective that comforts;
" I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and I watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says,'There, she's gone.
"Gone where? Gone from my sight- that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her: and just at the moment when someone at my side say's 'There she's gone", there are other eyes watching her coming, and other glad voices ready to take up the glad shout,'here she comes'"!
Judi Johnson
April 14, 2005
Patti,
My heart is filled with sorrow for you at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Andrew Lampert
April 14, 2005
This is tragic news about Casey. My heartfelt condolences to his family. As one of the neighborhood-Del Dayo-gang growing up with Casey from kindergarten thru high school,I will always cherish the memories. Casey's sunny outlook and humor made our afterschool games and adventures even more satisfying. Even though this is difficult to accept, your memory and spirit will never be far.
Todd Nunan
April 14, 2005
I have known Casey throughout High School and our early twenties during which he was known to model people he admired and people he found genuinely funny. His trust in Jesus Christ, however, impacted me at a time when I was struggling: In 1979, on a breezy-sunny Sunday morning in Santa Cruz, Casey shared this comment, in friendly sincerity, “ I always feel better after God does his pruning on my life, You know, how he cuts out all the useless stuff and makes you feel clean inside.” Casey’s kind of genuine friendship is uncommon.
Susan, Gary and "Little Joe" Reynolds
April 13, 2005
To Big Joe, Ted, Portia and family and the Fetzer family: We are so saddened by your loss. Heartfelt prayers are with you all at this time.
David Inderkum
April 13, 2005
Casey was a friend from grade school thru high school. Neighborhood baseball games and Boy Scouts. He was fun to be with at all times. He was the same at our last high school reunion two years ago and very excited about his new venture in the wine industry. The future was very bright. I will miss seeing him in the future. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family. Dave Inderkum
Diane Wood
April 13, 2005
Patti: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I was so saddened to hear about the tragic accident. Although I have relocated to Arizona, I still read the news each day in the Press Democrat. I remember when I started at Fetzer Vineyards in 1985 and first met you and Casey. I admired his quick wit, funny stories, knowledge of the wine industry and I always enjoyed seeing him again at the Big Dog. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Lisa McCart
April 12, 2005
Casey was my husband Kevin's very best friend and the sister of my dear friend Portia. He was very generous, funny and intelligent. He always had us laughing with his impersonations and witty jokes. This loss is one that we will never forget. Our hearts go out to Patti, Ted, Portia and the entire family. Love, Lisa
Paul Venezio
April 12, 2005
Casey was a good man,sorry to lose him so young.Condolences to his family.
Craig Dehner
April 12, 2005
I only had the pleasure of meeting KC on one occasion, at his nieces graduation, but after being with the Burke family the past few days, and hearing all the stories and wonderful memories, I feel like I have known this amazing person forever. My heart goes out to all the Burke family and all of the close friends of KC. He will be tremendously missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Lance Treiber
April 12, 2005
Casey and I were fraternity brothers in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I remember Casey always had a smile on his face, and a new joke to tell you. He often talked about his one great goal in life, working in the Wine Industry, nice to know that dreams come true. We lost touch for years, but recently were able to have lunch together. Twenty-five years later he was still the same, the smile on his face and a new joke. I will miss that smilling face. Phi Alpha Brother
Janet (Tate) Wight
April 12, 2005
Patti, I know it has been a long time since we have spoken to or seen one other, but I was so saddened by the news of your husband's death I wanted to post this note to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Roger Owner
April 12, 2005
I worked with KC at Young's Market Co., was deeply sadend to hear of the tragic accident.
My condolences to Patti for her loss.
Joslyn Burke
April 12, 2005
Casey was the world's greatest uncle. I hold so many dear memories of him at family gatherings. Casey was never satisfied with tomorrow being just like today-he was always searching for new knowledge and adventures. He always took an interest in my life and helped me through hard times. I am so proud of all of his personal and professional achievements. I will miss him every day of my life.
Kevin Poe
April 12, 2005
Nothing I say or write will relieve you of the sorrow you are feeling. I can only say that I will miss KC's freindship. He was the brother I never had as a kid, he was the best fraternity brother I will ever know. All my Best K. Poe
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