Jim, as he was called by most, was born September 6 1957 in Upton, MA to Russell Walter Burke and Barbara Elaine (Hilliard) Burke.
He grew up in Upton, MA and graduated from Nipmuc Regional High School in 1976, then served 4 years in the US Navy as a Photographer's Mate (PH). After honorable discharge he met his first wife, Val; and had 2 children, Jennifer and Shawn. He met his wife Susan Daniell in 2007 and they had one child, Jamie (Sin).
He worked at Wyman Gordon in Grafton, MA for 2 years as a photographer and developer before moving his family to Maine, where he worked for Reed n Reed Construction as a Bridge Construction Laborer. After about 4 years he started work at Cianbro where he worked as a Shut Down Laborer, and moved onto Welding, Fabrication, and Engineering until retirement.
Jim always had a love of the outdoors as he spent many hours hunting, fishing and trapping. He also had a green thumb, after retirement he decided to open his own business, Care by Cannabis, growing and selling medical cannabis. He grew the business over the years, which he and his family are extremely proud of.
He had many hobbies but his 2 biggest passions were his family and fishing. If he wasn’t with his family he could be found out on the boat fishing. He was a long time member of Classic Bass Masters of Maine and donated his time every year to their Special Olympics Tournament.
Jim is survived by his wife, Sue Burke of LaGrange; brother, Francis Burke of Millville, MA; 3 Children Jennifer Eaton-Burke, Shawn Burke and Jamie (Sin) Burke; grandson, Isaac Keef and many aunts, uncles and cousins of the Burke Clan.
A celebration of life gathering will be held 2-4PM Saturday June 18, 2022 at the Birmingham Funeral Home 438 Main Street Old Town where a service will be held at 4PM. An online viewing will be available, please contact Jena Eaton-Burke via facebook for more info. Burial will be private at Hill Crest Cemetery, Lagrange.
Donations can be made to the Special Olympics via the Classic Bass Masters
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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