Leon Donald Burke

Leon Alfred Donald Burke was born April 30, 1934 to Donald Burke and Athalyn Jeffers in the village of Layou, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. As a teen, he migrated to Trinidad with his mother, completed school and started work. But he was mainly a lover of music, playing bass guitar, leading his own band in clubs and events through the West Indies. In 1967 he migrated to the USA, quickly becoming a trusted leader in every place he worked. In October 1976, urged by his late wife Donna, he attended a church meeting and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. His life was transformed from that day.

Family was the most important thing in his life, being the father and grandfather God would have him to be. From picking them up at school, babysitting, Sunshine Acres, Mets games - He was a diehard Mets and Jets fan despite their inconsistency in winning - and church, he made sure to spend time with his family and encourage them to believe God.

Leon dedicated his time to private and congregate bible study, scripture memorization and telling everyone everywhere about the Christ who changed his life. His love for the word of God led him to join the Gideon’s International – even presiding over the Manhattan Chapter. Many people will remember Leon because he gave them a Gideon Bible or New Testament.

In his early years as a Christian, he would raise money for inner city kids to attend summer camp at Sunshine Acres where they would hear the Gospel, have fellowship and fun. Many lives were transformed because of the work of Sunshine Acres.

He truly loved people and always encouraged believers in the Lord. He participated in men’s ministries, making special effort to connect with them individually, especially pastors, who he said often felt isolated and needed encouragement. He served at First Baptist, Bellerose Baptist, Valley Stream Baptist, Clarendon Road Church, East End Baptist, and Cornerstone Baptist, Fredericksburg, VA and wherever the lord led him.

Leon married Karen in December 2009 and moved to Brooklyn, adopting her family. Together they travelled, visited family, ministered together and enjoyed life. In January 2020 they moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia where he continued to serve where he was planted. He remained firm in his faith, fascinated with God’s creation, and with a childlike delight in the simplest blessings.

Leon is preceded in death by his daughter Sandra and siblings Ouida, Thelma, Selwyn

Leon leaves to mourn his beloved wife - Karen

Children - Shirley, Shari, Shurla, Trudy, Anthony, Bill, Roger, Renn, Louis and Jacob.

Sons in law - Fausto, Jeffrey, Noble

Daughters in law - Tereza,

Nieces and nephews - Nicolette, Nadine, Nigel and a host of others.

20 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers for Leon Burke, charitable contributions can be made as a memorial donation.

Please make checks payable to:

Sunshine Acres

PO Box 1903

Seaford NY 11783

Or make an online donation through PayPal - simply go to https:www.sunshineacres.com