Joseph Peter Burke, 68, of South Pasadena, FL, passed on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at the Bay Pines VA Health Care System in Bay Pines, FL. He was born in Sommerville, MA and moved to the area in 1974 from Kansas City, MO.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He served on the USS Vancouver (LPD-2). He worked many jobs in his lifetime; but he enjoyed being a Security Officer the most. He also enjoyed boating and swimming.
His parents, Peter and Eleanor Burke preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Joshua Burke of Colorado Springs, CO; brother, Fred Burke of St. Petersburg; step-son, John Madigan of Largo, FL; daughters, Kari Lyn and Dana Jo of Missouri; step-daughter, Shellie Fritz of Pinellas Park, FL; eleven grandchildren; a brother-in-law and sisters-in-law; a son and daughter-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
A military honors service will be held at 1:30PM on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at Bay Pines National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please direct all donations to:
Bay Pines VA
P.O. Box 5005 (mailing)
10000 Bay Pines Blvd. (physical)
Bay Pines, FL 33744
Make checks payable to:
Bay Pines VA HCS
Memo: Hospice / Joseph Burke
I will miss you everyday of my life brother. You meant so much to me with so many awesome memories. Our times growing up from Boston Mass, Kansas City to Florida. My heart is hurting, but I know you are with the heavens and God now. Take care my wonderful brother, I will see you, Dad and Mom in heaven. I Love You, Freddie “TCB”.
Joe was a kind and thoughtful man. He had a great sense of humor. He will be missed!
We Love You Joe Burke.
The Madigan Family
Joe, You are so wonderful & loved so very much! We will miss you forever as you are always in our hearts & souls.We love you and will forever miss you!The Fritz Family
Joe,
Friends for 35 years, married for an amazing 24 years. I miss you so much already.The cats send their love, they miss you too. Sugar will make it to the Cat Show and get a ribbon for you. Oliver would also if I get brave. Good times and bad times Baby, we always managed to make it through and we had some really,fun times with great relatives and great friends.We are going to the Elvis Birthday Bash in your honor.
Tell every one I miss them and will be with them one day.
Honey,I love you. Please behave yourself up there.
Reete ( The Wife )
Rest in peace, Joe, and give Pete and Nana our love, we will miss you.
Pops you are the greatest man I will ever know. I am so proud to be your best friend and son. You have taught me how to be loving, caring, and humble. Most of all your sense of humor will not pass with you, one of your greatest qualities. You always put a smile on everyones faces around you. You were the best father a son could ask for. I love you dad and I will forever miss you. Thank you for the stories of a great man that I will always be able to tell my kids. I will see you again one day, love ya pops
Just wanted to say that you will be missed. I am sorry that I never had the chance to meet you. I want you to know that you raised a wonderful son that I love dearly. He is an amazing man and he learned that from you. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. Rest in peace Mr. Burke
Joe, thanks for all the good times, we’ll never forget you.
Suzanne & Larry
Our deepest sympathy to Rita and all the family. Joe was such a pleasure to know and we enjoyed our family times together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With heavy hearts but good memories of a dear friend, our sympathies and condolences go to family and all who had the fortune to know Joe.
He will rest in peace in a good place.
It was a honor to know you Joe. There’s just never enough time to say everything we are thinking or it comes a little too late to say it. I will treasure the Elvis bag forever that you gave me. Thanks for the memories.
Love you always,
Gail S.
Reete, Sending thoughts and prayer from Connecticut. The couple of times we spent with Joe were so enjoyable! May he Rest in Peace.
Ursula and Tim
I knew you for a short period of times but it seemed like a life time that we have known each other, Ill never forget the pair of shoes you gave me just for asking and i still have them. You are now with Jesus and walking with him along the stream of your brothers old home and having a ball! One day I will see you again i promise just dont forget us up there: Randy
Dear Joe,
May you rest in peace !! You will be missed alot by your family & friends. Your wonderful sense of humor, your ability to make us laugh and appreciate life was special. You & I shared a special appreciation for those beautiful white kittens in our lives. Will miss you alot !
Lynda
Semper Fidelis
Joe we only met a couple of times, but your sense of humor and desire to learn more about our traditions will remain in our memory. Rest in peace. We love you, Matt and Nedime.
You will always be remembered. We wish we could have had a longer friendship but the short time we had together will last a lifetime. You will truly be missed. Be our Angel in Heaven because you were here on earth.
RoxannPJ
I had the honor to work with you Joe for years at tyrone mall.You were a good friend and the finest security officer. We will be at a great loss without your smile. May GOD bless you and keep you by his side.
Joe, you were an amazing man! Loyal, funny and hard working. We are so grateful you are renewed in Heaven, no more unhealthy body to hold you back! Rest in peace, and God be with you, The Robinson family
Joe Pete;
you are with the Lord now. I remember the times we had in Kansas City!Your dad and I work for the Police department. We all ahd our roots in Massachusetts, but it was great that your dad and mine (brothers) wanted to be together. God bless you and keep you.
your cousin Bud
To Fred–may God give you extra stength during this time of grieving. Joe truly is in a “better place” and I can see John taking care of him in Heaven. He couldn’t ask for a better Angel to help him get settled and they are probably sharing Vietnam War stories as I type this. God Bless–Kay
I worked with Mr. Burke over twenty years ago at Tyrone Square. I still remember his smile and positive attitude. He was a good man.