Official Obituary of
Michael Richard Joseph Burke
February 17, 2022
Michael Burke Obituary
It is with deep sorrow and great love that the family of Michael Richard Joseph Burke announce his passing at the age of 79 years. Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend and bus driver passed peacefully while surrounded by his adoring family.
Mike was predeceased by his loving parents Richard and Mary Burke, his treasured first born child, Betty (Elizabeth Ann) Waye, his beloved big sister Agnes Burke, his brother-in-law Thomas White and other family and friends.
He will forever be affectionately remembered by his devoted and cherished wife of 58 years, Jessie; their children Michelle (Nawaz), Sandra (Ian), Nancy and Rick (Sandra); grandchildren Chantel, Tyler (Allysha), Jordan, Justina, Baasil, Braden, Brandon and Michael; great-grandchildren Hope, Evan, Ben and Phillip; sisters Jeannie White and Barb (Randell) O’Rielly; son-in-law Calvin Waye and other in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and his kind and supportive friend who was also family, Kevin Glynn.
Mr. Mike will be fondly remembered by the many children from St.Bernard’s Elementary School and Mobile Central High School. For 15 years, he brought them safely to and from school daily. The job brought him tremendous joy, and he missed it dearly when he retired in 2019 for health reasons.
Mike grew up in Witless Bay. After marrying Jessie and starting their family, they moved to Wabush, Labrador, where he spent 40 years working at Wabush Mines as a shovel operator. They raised their five children, made many friends and were very active in their church and community. Mike also enjoyed bowling, softball, pool and darts. In retirement, they returned to their hometown of Witless Bay where Mike happily lived out the rest of his days spending time with family, driving the school bus, playing darts with the 50+ Club, painting or staining decks and fences and eating out at his favourite restaurants.
The family would like to send along a special thank you to Dr. Rod McCarthy who always went above and beyond to ensure that Mike got the attention and care that he needed. Another special thank you goes out to the doctors, the staff and especially the nurses at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital. Over the past several years, Mike and his family have been showered with so much compassion and care from the medical and nursing staff on various floors and wings throughout the hospital. The family’s gratitude could never be expressed, and nurses in particular hold a special place in their hearts.
Visitation will be held at Ryan’s Funeral Home, Bay Bulls, NL. on Sunday, February 20th, 2022 and Monday, February 21st, 2022 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at the church in which Mike and Jessie were married, St. Patrick's RC Church, Witless Bay, on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 10:00 am. Cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Mike wished that memorial donations be made to the School Breakfast Program at St. Bernard’s Elementary in Witless Bay, NL and/or Mobile Central High School in Mobile, NL. Please follow the link below to make a donation.
https://www.kidseatsmart.ca/donate-now/
Recipient’s email: [email protected]
SERVICES
Mike was predeceased by his loving parents Richard and Mary Burke, his treasured first born child, Betty (Elizabeth Ann) Waye, his beloved big sister Agnes Burke, his brother-in-law Thomas White and other family and friends.
He will forever be affectionately remembered by his devoted and cherished wife of 58 years, Jessie; their children Michelle (Nawaz), Sandra (Ian), Nancy and Rick (Sandra); grandchildren Chantel, Tyler (Allysha), Jordan, Justina, Baasil, Braden, Brandon and Michael; great-grandchildren Hope, Evan, Ben and Phillip; sisters Jeannie White and Barb (Randell) O’Rielly; son-in-law Calvin Waye and other in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and his kind and supportive friend who was also family, Kevin Glynn.
Mr. Mike will be fondly remembered by the many children from St.Bernard’s Elementary School and Mobile Central High School. For 15 years, he brought them safely to and from school daily. The job brought him tremendous joy, and he missed it dearly when he retired in 2019 for health reasons.
Mike grew up in Witless Bay. After marrying Jessie and starting their family, they moved to Wabush, Labrador, where he spent 40 years working at Wabush Mines as a shovel operator. They raised their five children, made many friends and were very active in their church and community. Mike also enjoyed bowling, softball, pool and darts. In retirement, they returned to their hometown of Witless Bay where Mike happily lived out the rest of his days spending time with family, driving the school bus, playing darts with the 50+ Club, painting or staining decks and fences and eating out at his favourite restaurants.
The family would like to send along a special thank you to Dr. Rod McCarthy who always went above and beyond to ensure that Mike got the attention and care that he needed. Another special thank you goes out to the doctors, the staff and especially the nurses at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital. Over the past several years, Mike and his family have been showered with so much compassion and care from the medical and nursing staff on various floors and wings throughout the hospital. The family’s gratitude could never be expressed, and nurses in particular hold a special place in their hearts.
Visitation will be held at Ryan’s Funeral Home, Bay Bulls, NL. on Sunday, February 20th, 2022 and Monday, February 21st, 2022 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at the church in which Mike and Jessie were married, St. Patrick's RC Church, Witless Bay, on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 10:00 am. Cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Mike wished that memorial donations be made to the School Breakfast Program at St. Bernard’s Elementary in Witless Bay, NL and/or Mobile Central High School in Mobile, NL. Please follow the link below to make a donation.
https://www.kidseatsmart.ca/donate-now/
Recipient’s email: [email protected]
SERVICES
Visitation
Sunday, February 20, 2022
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ryan's Funeral Home
1 Cemetery Lane East
Bay Bulls,
Visitation
Monday, February 21, 2022
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ryan's Funeral Home
1 Cemetery Lane East
Bay Bulls,
Funeral Service
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
10:00 AM
St. Patrick's RC Church
The Avenue
Witless Bay,
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Services
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