Obituary of William Joseph Burke

William Joseph Burke, a retired Electrical Engineer, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, October 4, 2016. He was 86 years old. William was born in Boston, the son of Patrick and Margaret Burke. He grew up in Brighton and was a graduate of St. Columbekille High School. He enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from high school and served for 4 years during the Korean War with the 57th Motor Vehicle SQ FTR. He spent over 2 years overseas and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and the Korean Service Medal. William returned home from the service and went to work at Raytheon. He worked his way from a technician to an electrical engineer. He spent 44 years working for Raytheon working at Hanscom Air Force Base and the many Raytheon facilities around New England. William built his world around his family and his faith. He was a loving and devoted husband to his late wife Bridget. They were married in Watertown and settled in Burlington in 1957 where they would raise their family. They had 6 children and created a warm and loving home filled with love and strong Catholic values. They would squeeze 7 of them in a small pop up trailer and share many memorable camping vacations in Maine. William also shared his deep Catholic faith with his family. Saint Malachy’s Church is where he shared and deepened his faith on a daily basis. He taught religious education, served as an usher, lecturer, and Eucharistic Minister. For many years, after the 8 a.m. mass, he would visit the sick at the Lahey Clinic, sharing some comforting words and offering them communion. It was his faith that carried him through the loss of his wife and sons. William will be remembered as a quiet and humble man who led by example with his love and dedication to his family and his faith. William was the beloved husband of the late Bridget (Murphy). Loving father of Michael & his wife Tetyana of Pelham, NH, Bridget of Burlington, Ann McElwain & her husband John of Billerica, Kerry Hadouche & her husband Mohand of N. Chelmsford, the late William and Daniel. Brother of Thomas of Waltham, John of Brockton, Jerry of Lynn, Katherine “Kitty” Keane of OH, Patricia “Patsy” Menjin of S. Boston, Barbara Hickey of VA, Margaret “Peggy” Ropple of Woburn, the late Claire Spinney, Sr. Rosemary Burke, Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary, Joseph, James, and Ann Burke. Grandfather of John and Daniel McElwain and great grandfather of Kellie Anne. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Friday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorial donations in William’s name may be made to St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803.