Obituary of Richard Burke

Richard “Dick” Burke, an engineer, entrepreneur, and active member of the community, passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. He was 78 years old. Dick was born in Arlington, MA, the son of the late Richard and Helen Burke. He grew up in Arlington, MA and Conway New Hampshire. He was a graduate of Kennett High School in Conway, New Hampshire. He served in the Navy for 4 years during the Korean War and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After his military service, Dick had quite a diverse work background. He was the type of person who always needed to be challenged. He was an electrical engineer and had worked at Adage and Sylvania Corporations. During those years he worked on the Apollo and Gemini Space Programs. Dick also helped design the original Bar Code for tracking Railway cars as well as UPC codes for various other projects. He was an entrepreneur in the food service industry managing the Mia Cucina, Chesterton, and Granada Highlands Restaurants. He also worked for a time with Bellevue Golf Club, Melrose and Aberjona Food Services. In his retirement years, Dick worked as a livery driver for Woburn Cab and Harrison Transportation Services. He was a man that could not sit idle and loved the thrill of taking on any challenge. Dick embraced life and lived his life to the fullest. He was a person of action and adventure. He was a member and officer of the Loyal Order of Moose in Woburn. He was a railroad enthusiast and a member of the Railroad Association. Dick was an avid gardener and a gourmet cook. He coached hockey. Dick believed in giving back to the community and to those in need. He served as a Town Meeting Member for the Town of Winchester for many years. He volunteered at the Boston Marathon, Train Host for the Downeaster, the visitor center at the Lowell Trolley Museum, and at the Lowell Folk Festival. He shared his love of motorcycles with all his children and grandchildren. But most of all, he shared the spirit of living with his family. Each member of his family has a piece of Dick’s adventurous side in them that will keep his memory alive. He will be sorely missed but always remembered and loved. Dick was the beloved husband of Helen M. (McDonald). He was the loving father of Sherri Dooley & her husband John of Winchester, Richard X. Burke, II & his fiancée Michele Stecyk of Hamilton, Terrence “Terry” Burke & his wife Josephine of Haverhill, and Joanne Burke of Winchester. He was the brother of Kathleen VanderSluys of Nashua, NH, the late Elinor Lewis, and David Burke. He was the proud grandfather of Matthew, Mark, & Rebecca Dooley, and Richard X. III & Amanda Burke. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St, BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, June 19, at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Center Effingham Cemetery, Effingham, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s name may be made to Moose Charities, 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, IL, 60539-1100.