Obituary for Robert J. "Bob" Burke
Robert J. “Bob” Burke, 91, of Shrewsbury, died Sunday January 26, 2020 at the Beaumont Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Worcester surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Orwell, Vermont and raised in Worcester, Bob was one of four children born to the late Jerome and Margaret (Cronin) Burke. He was educated in Worcester as well, attending St. Peter’s High School, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Bob served in the Korean War for several years, as a Corporal, before his honorable discharge in 1953. Two years later, he married the love of his life, the late Catherine A. “Kate” (McGurn) Burke, and the pair settled in Shrewsbury to begin raising their family. Bob worked as manager for Iandoli’s Markets from 1959 until 1973, then began to work for the Shrewsbury Town Hall, until his retirement in 1994.
Bob leaves his loving children, Kathleen A. Burke of Manchester, CT, Roland A. Burke and his wife Mary Jane of Medway, James K. Burke of Shrewsbury; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Hugh Burke and his wife Alice of Shrewsbury, and Alice Burke of Worcester; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his beloved wife, Bob was predeceased by their son, the late Robert P. Burke, who died in 2008, and his sister, the late Ellen Walsh of Worcester.
Bob adored spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Burke family between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on Wednesday January 29, 2020 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday January 30, 2020 at St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA. Burial with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veteran’s Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.
Born in Orwell, Vermont and raised in Worcester, Bob was one of four children born to the late Jerome and Margaret (Cronin) Burke. He was educated in Worcester as well, attending St. Peter’s High School, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Bob served in the Korean War for several years, as a Corporal, before his honorable discharge in 1953. Two years later, he married the love of his life, the late Catherine A. “Kate” (McGurn) Burke, and the pair settled in Shrewsbury to begin raising their family. Bob worked as manager for Iandoli’s Markets from 1959 until 1973, then began to work for the Shrewsbury Town Hall, until his retirement in 1994.
Bob leaves his loving children, Kathleen A. Burke of Manchester, CT, Roland A. Burke and his wife Mary Jane of Medway, James K. Burke of Shrewsbury; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Hugh Burke and his wife Alice of Shrewsbury, and Alice Burke of Worcester; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his beloved wife, Bob was predeceased by their son, the late Robert P. Burke, who died in 2008, and his sister, the late Ellen Walsh of Worcester.
Bob adored spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Burke family between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on Wednesday January 29, 2020 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday January 30, 2020 at St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA. Burial with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veteran’s Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.