Matthew F. Burke

Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Charles J. and Helen R. (Lowney) Burke.

A lifelong resident of Fall River, Matthew attended St. Peter & Paul School and was a graduate of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School and a member of it's Hall of Fame. He was a veteran of the U.S.Navy having served two tours of duty in the Korean War on the U.S.S. Missouri and the U.S.S. Wisconsin. Mr. Burke was employed as a cable splicer at for New England Telephone Company for over 40 years before retiring in 1995.

He served as a Commissioner on the Fall River Housing Authority Board for 15 years, 10 years as Chairman. He was a member of the Corky Row Club, Patty Brennan Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Telephone Pioneers and IBEW 2322. Mr. Burke was a lifelong coach and referee and a fixture at local basketball courts and baseball fields. He began coaching alongside his two buddies William "Shifty" Shea and Pete Cummings in the mid 1950's at Federal Little League where he is a member of the Hall of Fame. He coached for over 30 years at the Milliken-Silva Basketball League and the Maplewood Park Baseball League where they honored him by establishing an Annual Sportsmanship Award in his name. In 2001, he received the "Coaches Who Make a Difference Award" from the Fall River Herald News. While he enjoyed coaching and refereeing, his love and passion was attending his children and grandchildren's sporting events. He was a fan of all New England sports teams especially the Boston Bruins.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his five loving children, Matthew F. Burke, Jr. of Fall River, Tracy Santerre and her husband Gary of Swansea, Kelly Burke D'Ambrosio of Rehoboth, Timothy M. Burke of Fall River and Patrick M. Burke of Swansea; his sister Mary Nadeau and her husband Gilbert; Poppy to Allyson, Jenna and Casey Santerre, Kylie, Emily and T.J. D'Ambrosio and Tyler, Sydney and Cameron Burke; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Charles J. Burke, Jr.

The Burke family would like to extend a warm thanks to Kindred Care, formerly Gentiva, and all the nurses and aides who cared for him.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. from the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, Fall River. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, 2233 Robeson Street, Fall River. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Parkinson's Disease Foundation 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or any local youth athletic organization. For directions or tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com