John A. Burke

Birth: May 26, 1932 | Died: March 8, 2022

May 26^th 1932 – March 8^th 2022 John Burke went to his heavenly home.  His beloved wife of 55 years, Joan Burke passed away on March 23, 2013. John is survived by his five children – Tom Burke, Ann Vandewark, Michael Burke, Brian Burke, and Laura Miller, 12 Grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. 

John was raised in Au Sable Forks, NY where he enjoyed the outdoors, lots of fishing, and working odd jobs.  He attended SUNY – Albany where he saw a television for the first time.  He participated in Wrestling and Soccer for which he was the leading scorer while working summers as an electrician. 

When the Korean War started, John joined the Navy which guaranteed him 36 weeks of electronics school. Upon discharge, he attended the University of Washington starting in the Winter Quarter of 1955. John met his future wife, Joan, at the Newman Center there. He graduated with a BS in Physics, June of 1957. 

John worked at Hughes Aircraft Company for 30 years overseeing many of the systems that protected the Free World. He continually worked at remote locations including Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, and Pakistan. During his travels, he added to his extensive painting collection. When he retired, his love of travel continued, visiting all 7 continents. He also returned to the outdoors, becoming a Scout Master for troop 73 and a Roundtable Commissioner. Afterwards he spent most of his time as an assistant Scout Master and served in many positions for the Council.  In addition, he served on the Republican Central Committee with his wife and together they worked for Pro-Life causes. They would also hand make Rosaries for use by parishioners at St. Boniface. 

In later years, he would enjoy painting, collecting stamps, collecting coins, and working with his computer. He was a do-it-yourselfer, mending his own clothes, growing citrus fruits as well as vegetables, and household repairs. 

A Rosary will be at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, April 18^th from 4-7.  Funeral Mass will be at St. Boniface Church, April 19th at 10 AM.