John William Burke Jr.

John W. (Jack) Burke Jr. of Ft. Myers died on Monday 8/21/17 at the age of 87. He is survived by his 4 children, Mrs. Barbara Wampler (Roger) and Mrs. Mary Cheney (Michael) of Ft. Myers, Mr. John W. Burke III (Cindy) of Cape Coral and Mr. Lawrence D. Burke (Paul Brigandi) of Haddonfield, New Jersey, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He also is survived by his brother, Mr. Robert Burke of Lincoln, ME and his sister Mrs. Barbara Archer of Ft. Lauderdale. Jack was pre-deceased in 2010 by his wife of 60 years Laura J. Burke (Sushil) and in 1973 by his daughter Ann.

Jack was born in Lincoln, Maine in 1929 the youngest of 13 children born to John W. and Cora (Ganner) Burke. During a visit to his sister and brother-in-law in Florida in 1950, Jack met Laura in February and was married by June. He spent the next 67 years as a resident of Ft. Myers.

Jack spent 40 years with Sears and Roebuck first in their downtown store and then at the Edison Mall. Jack was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a founding member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic community where he served as financial secretary for the parish council, usher and extraordinary Eucharistic minister.

He loved to fish and golf and spent many happy hours on the boat and the course.

A viewing will be held Thursday evening August 24th from 6pm to 8pm at Hodges-Kiser Funeral Home, 9231 Cypress Lake Drive, Ft. Myers. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am Friday August 25th at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Ft. Myers. Interment will be immediately following the service at Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd. Ft. Myers.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The American Cancer Society in the name of John W. Burke Jr.

Arrangements under the direction of HODGES-KISER FUNERAL HOME, Fort Myers, FL.