Rev. Darryl C. Burke

As one day ended and another began, in the presence of his loved ones, the Reverend Darryl C. Burke, 72, of Bloomfield, triumphantly transitioned from the pain and vicissitudes of this earthly world to the joys of the life eternal on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at his home. Born in Brooklyn, NY on November 1, 1952, son of the late Rev. Dr. Canon Cyril Casper Burke, Sr. and A. Gloria (Eaves) Burke, he was the second child of three and moved to Hartford with his parents and his siblings in 1966. Rev. Darryl graduated from the Watkinson School with the Class of 1970 and immediately continued his education at Swarthmore College where he graduated with the Class of 1974 with a double major in English and Psychology and concentrations in Black Studies and Education. He loved his time at Swarthmore and was active in many student organizations including the Gospel Choir. He remained an active alumnus throughout his life and was able to attend his 50th reunion in 2024. He returned to Hartford after receiving his bachelor's degree and took a position at Weaver High School as an English teacher. As an educator he was active in shaping and molding the lives of his students and was instrumental in mentoring and supporting young people in several clubs, sports, and activities. Rev. Darryl returned to school at Harvard University where he completed his Masters in Education with concentrations in Teaching Curriculum and Learning Environments, Administration, and Social Policy. He returned to the Hartford School System serving as Vice Principal and later as Principal at Weaver High School and Bulkeley High School. He was a voracious reader, a prolific orator and powerful singer. Rev. Darryl was an advocate, mentor, father-figure, and champion for those without a voice. He retired from education to begin the next phase of his life works after finally submitting to and responding to God's call to the ordained ministry as an Episcopal Priest. Rev. Darryl served as a Diocesan intern at St. James in West Hartford, as Missional Curate at Trinity Church in Wethersfield, and he was ordained to the Diaconate on June 29, 2019. On February 18, 2020, Rev. Darryl was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Ian T. Douglas at Trinity Church in Wethersfield. Rev. Darryl began his ministry as a priest at Trinity Church in Portland and immediately became involved in Archdiocesan committees and organizations, including serving as a member of the Reparations Task Force where he was instrumental in the development of 2020 Resolution #7, "Acknowledging and Confronting Systemic Racism, White Supremacy, and Anti-Black Bias." He served as a member of the hospital chaplains at St. Francis Hospital and was elected to fill a vacancy on The Episcopal Church in Connecticut's Standing Committee on December 17, 2020. Rev. Darryl never forgot his home church, St. Monica's Episcopal Church in Hartford where he participated in wide range of organizations and activities, including serving as an advisor for the Young People's Fellowship, as the Adult Bible Study facilitator, as the Coordinator of the Acolytes, and Director of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, the Vestry, and the Search Committee. A longtime Hartford resident, Rev. Darryl was a member several community and fraternal organizations including Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc., Beta Iota Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Proud of his college, he was an active member of the Swarthmore College Alumni Association. Over the years, Rev. Darryl received numerous awards for his work in the Hartford Public Schools and for his volunteerism in the Greater Hartford community. He leaves two sons, Kingsle' Miles Burke and his wife Marie of Roxbury, MA, and Chris Brown and his wife Julie of East Hartford; a brother, Cyril "Cy" Burke, Jr. and his wife Dr. Donna-Marie Peters-Burke of Norristown, PA; a sister, Dr. Camille Burke Geathers and her husband Michael "Tony" Geathers of Bloomfield; five grandchildren, Christopher Soltau of Bloomfield, Dahrell Rush of Boston, MA, Sariah Forde of Boston, MA, Chris Brown, Jr. of East Hartford, and Jordyn Brown of East Hartford; two nieces and a nephew, Nichole Burke-Kane of Hartford, Miss X of San Angelo, TX, and Michael Burke Geathers, Jr. of New Haven; six great-nephews, D'Metrius "Jesse" Walker, Kadere Kane, Chase Kane, Christian Burke, Cameron Mitchell and Chan Mitchell; and a great-great-nephew, Cairo Cyril Burke. He also leaves his dear friend, Margaret Rose Moore of Granby; and his "Brothers" Jesse Henderson of New Britain, Larry Pleasant of Bloomfield, Paul Stringer of West Hartford, and Sheldon Neal of Bloomfield; and his Godson, Andre Forde of Bloomfield. A Special Thanks is given to all those who continuously visited, prayed, and supported Rev. Darryl. His family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 3, 5-8 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 6 p.m., at St. Monica's Episcopal Church, 3575 Main Street, Hartford. A Celebration of Life and Eucharist of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, September 4, 11 a.m., at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church St., Hartford. Burial will be private in Old St. Andrews Cemetery, Bloomfield. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Rev. Dr. Cyril and Gloria Burke Family Fund, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 10 Columbus Boulevard, 8th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106 or by visiting, www.hfpg.org/burke or to James H. Batton '72 Award at Black Cultural Center, Swarthmore College. Checks can be mailed to: Swarthmore College, Attn: Gift Records, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Manchester Manor, Manchester Memorial Hospital, and UConn Medical Center. The family has entrusted the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home with the arrangements. For online condolences and to view the services live or after, Thursday, September 4th, at 11 a.m., please visit, www.carmonfuneralehome.com. Rev. Darryl's legacy is one of love, faith, and service to others and he will be sorely missed by all with whom he taught, ministered to, and interacted.