WILMINGTON, MA — Paul R. Burke, age 78, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.
Paul was born on January 4, 1941, in Medford, MA; he was a life-long resident of Wilmington where he was raised and educated.
Paul enlisted in the United States Air Force in October of 1959; he served his active duty overseas for a few years and in December of 1963 he was transferred to the Air Force Reserves. Paul went on to serve in the Reserves until October of 1965.
Paul was a Wilmington Firefighter for over 18 years until his illness forced him into early retirement. For many years, Paul maintained a kinship with many of his fellow firefighters. Paul was also a long-time member of the Tewksbury/Wilmington Lodge of Elks.
Paul married Cathy (Cain) Burke over 45 years ago and together they raised five sons and were grandparents of eight. As his family will attest, Paul’s role as a grandfather was his favorite family role by far; he adored those kids.
Paul’s love of travel and adventure was contagious, and he passed this passion down to his family. As a family, they traveled the country in their motor home for two summers; visiting over forty-six states. After traveling the country, they settled into their summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Paul was an avid boater who spent entire days on his boat, pulling his sons while they water skied or went tubing and eventually doing the same when the grandchildren came along. Throughout his early adult life, when the boys were young, he was an avid snow skier.
Paul will be remembered as a man of few words, making sure when he spoke – you listened. His love and guidance extended beyond his own children to his many nieces and nephews who enjoyed his role as the patriarch of Burke family. Paul was also a great friend to many and would go out of his way to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He will forever be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Paul was the beloved husband of 45 years to Catherine B. “Cathy” (Cain) Burke, devoted father of Richard Burke of Wilmington, Paul Burke & his wife Renee of Pelham, NH, John Burke & his wife Amy of Billerica, Fred Burke & his wife Tricia of Hudson, NH and Tom Burke & his wife Meg of Upland, CA. Loving “Grampy” of Taylor, Madison, Kate, Danny, Ryan, McAdam, Evan and Emma. Dear son of the late John and Dorothy (Gallagher) Burke, brother of the late Jackie Burke and Jim Burke, uncle of the late John Burke. Paul is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Tuesday, March 5th at 11:00 a.m. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday, March 4th from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215.
(NOTE: The above obituary is from Nichols Funeral Home.)
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