Obituary of John V. Burke

John V. Burke, 80 of Lynnfield, husband Jean (Berry) Burke, died on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at MGH in Boston after a lengthy illness. Mr. Burke was born in Lynn on December 28, 1927 son of the late Edward and Helen (Griffin) Burke. He was raised in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn Public schools. Mr. Burke then served three years in the U.S. Navy as an FC3 aboard the USS Bairoko. Upon discharge John earned his Bachelors degree from St. Michael’s College in Vermont, and a Masters Degree from Boston State College. He then became a Lynn schoolteacher and spent most of his career educating his Pickering Junior High School students in English, Social Studies and Civics. Mr. Burke was also employed at Cardinal Health in Peabody for many years until he retired at age 70. As teaching was Mr. Burke’s vocation, gardening at his Lynnfield home was his avocation. John could almost always be found tending to his vegetables and flowers, sometimes well into the winter months. He enjoyed traveling with his children during summer vacation and cherished the accomplishments of his seven grandchildren. In addition to his wife of 56 years he is survived by his children and their spouses, Sharon and Robert Stephson of Oregon House, CA, John and Julie Burke of Beverly, Deborah and Frank Imbrescia, Theresa and Neil Desautels, all of Lynnfield, Andrea and Eugene Walsh of Marietta, GA, Marguerite and Ralph Negri of Peabody, Daniel Burke of Lynn, and Lisa and James Coulouris of Arlington; his grandchildren, Frank and Kathryn Imbrescia, Nicole and Rachel Negri, Erin and Lindsey Walsh and Jaqueline Desautels; brother Charles and his wife Mary Burke of Middleton; a sister, Joanne Caverly of Salem and sister-in-law, Marguerite Burke of NY and many nieces and nephews. His brother Edward Burke predeceased him. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 9 A.M. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., (new facility) Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. in St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St. Lynnfield. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. Burial in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MGH Cardiology Dept., C/O Development Office, 100 Charles River Plaza, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.