Paul V. Burke Sr.

Paul V. Burke, age 97, of Norwood, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2024. Born in Newton, he was the son of the late Edward Burke and Florence (MacDonald) Burke.

Paul grew up in Newton Highlands. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the service. He was under age and needed his mother’s consent to allow him to enlist. He was assigned to the Naval branch and ended up on Landing Ship Tank (LST) 308. His ship was part of Operation Neptune, part of Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of Normandy. As a coxswain, he shuttled British troops ashore on Gold Beach. After serving in Europe, LST 308 was ordered to the Pacific theater for the invasion of Japan. Just as they arrived in Japan, the Japanese surrendered. After returning home, he completed his studies at Newton High School. He went on to a 40-year career as a heavy equipment mechanic for the City of Newton. His passion for hockey led him to embark on a brief semi-professional playing career with the Oakland Knaves. That lead him to start a part-time career as an ice hockey referee. He was a member of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association, Eastern College Athletic Conference (E.C.A.C.), and Hockey East. He worked 5 “Bean Pots” and numerous E.C.A.C. Playoffs. The best Zebra on the blades! He received the Referee’s Award “For Outstanding Service and Dedication” from the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches’ Association in 1993. He enjoyed all sports, but his favorites were golf, ice skating and riding his bike. He would think nothing of riding from Needham to Boston in a day. He was always on the move and at the ready to go anywhere even if it was downtown to Dunkin for a cup of coffee.

Paul is survived by his wife of 71 years, Florence (Pitts) Burke of Norwood, his son Paul Burke Jr. and Maureen Burke of Norton, his daughters Karen Burke-Foley of North Carolina and her husband, the late Gerald Foley, and Susan Burke of Norwood, his grandchildren Colleen Burke, Patrick Burke, Sean Burke, and Kerri Elliot, his great grandchildren Rachael Elliot and Rebecca Elliot, and his great-great grandchildren Addie and Teddy. He was the brother of Mary Brinn, Evelyn Maguire, and the late Edward Burke, Walter Burke, Robert Burke, and Marjorie Young. He is survived by his many nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours will be held in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street (Rt. 1A) NORWOOD on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 2:30-5:30 PM. Words of Remembrance will be at 4:00PM in the Funeral Home. Interment at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 10:45AM.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Paul’s memory to the Fisher House of Boston https://fisherhouseboston.org/how-you-can-help/ or the Gentiva Foundation https://www.gentivahs.com/about/donate/