Joseph Paul Burke, Sr, age 94, died at home on August 9, 2022. The Blessed Lord willing, he has rejoined his wife Sally, who passed away in 2006. Also predeceasing Joe were his daughter, MaryEllen Burke, and son, Michael Burke. Joe was born in Paterson, N.J., the son of Joseph F. Burke and Marguerite Phalon Burke. After graduation from high school, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On his release at the end of World War II, he remained in the Navy Reserves and was called back to active duty during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS John Hood (DD655). Later, he was commissioned as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve and performed a number of assignments during the Cold War and the Vietnam War, including debriefing POWs from Vietnam. He retired in 1987 at the rank of Commander. Joe attended Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, earned a B.S. degree from Seton Hall College in New Jersey, and earned an MBA from Rutgers University's School of Business. He worked for over 33 years for Eastern Airlines serving in various middle-management positions, including in public relations (where he served as editor of "The Great Silver Fleet,") and in the maintenance division, where he was responsible for Eastern's return to silver jets in the 70's, primarily to lessen the weight of planes and save fuel costs. Joe and Sally raised their children in Miami. They were among the group of founding parishioners of St. Timothy's Catholic Church and Joe helped build the original church. They were active in the church community and with the St. Vincent De Paul Society. After living in Miami for 30 years, Joe moved with Sally to Vero Beach, FL, where he served the city and Indian River County as an election official, on the Code Enforcement Board, and on the Planning and Zoning Boards. He was also an active member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church's Choir, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Irish-American Society, the Naval Reserve Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and Tin Can Sailors. During his retirement, Joe biked and swam into his 80s. Up to the age of 92, he volunteered at the Indian River Hospital and the Victory Center Military Store in Vero Beach. Joe is survived by his sons Joseph (Judy), and Robert (Kay), daughter Rosemary Burke Spellacy (Thomas); grandchildren Erin Dowdy, Kevin Spellacy (Raquel), Brian Burke (Karin Friederic), Daniel Spellacy (Becky), Matthew Hess, Halee and Piper Burke, and Michael and Mary LaLiberte; great-grandchildren Max and Megan Hess; Rebecca, Logan, Lucy, and Etta Spellacy; and Nico Burke; much loved sisters-in-law Irene Rossi and Sharon Cass, brother-in-law Bill Cass, and daughter-in-law Connie Pugh; son-in-law Michael Dowdy and daughter-in-law Lynda LaLiberte; as well as generations of nieces, nephews shipmates and friends. Visitation will be held at Strunk Funeral Home, 916 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 on August 16, 2022 from 4-7pm. Joe will be eulogized during the visitation, which will be live-streamed. Joe's funeral will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Church on August 17, 2022 at 9:30am, followed by committal services at Crestlawn Cemetery with military honors.
Contributor: Joe (47507237)