joe was a friend of mine back in the fifties ,  i hope i have the right joe burke, sure looks like him minus hair,  joe was a bartendern at the prince george  hotel  when i knew him ,    he knew everyone,  he had a great personality  im so sorry to hear of his passing....

Just got word that Joe was tending a bar filled with the rascals of years gone by from the many press club locations and saloons Joe highlighted.

Memories of Joe will be with us until 'last call' and perhaps long after that. 

A marvelous guy.

Fred Ross
(just heard about his passing--June 26/12)

I first met Joe at an Irish travel event in 1968 and over the years we spoiled a good walk together over many of the finest golf courses in Ontario. Joe always told people we were collaborating on a video entitled "How Not To Play Golf." We could have made a fortune if we hadn't spent so much time looking for our balls!
Deepest condolences to Joyce and all in his extended family.
Ed Patrick,
President,
Toronto Press & Media Club

Joe was a great character and always had a story or joke to tell. He'll be sadly missed by all who new him.

Barry Grieve

 uncle    Joe    Memories   I  will    tresure  always
  A   lovely    Man  with  a  kind   heart  sadly missed   your  neice   Sarah-Jane.

" Joe  a     wonderful    Uncle   who    will  be  sadly    missed, We    will   remember,    Always,  our    time   in  Toronto, with   Joe   and   his  lovely  wife   Joyce, love    from your   nephew   Joe,  Barbara, Sarah-Jane.
    "Ar  dheis  De  go  raibh  a  anam  dilis"

Joe was a gentleman, who had the time to stop and chat. He loved  his card group at the Irish Seniors Centre@ Greenwood Ave.
His smile, good humour & presence will be deeply missed by one & all,especially @ 40 Homewood. Ar Dheis De ar do ainm dhilis a Iosef!
Lu O Mainin(Toronto)

News of Joe's passing renewed memories of many pleasant lunch times and evenings spent at the old Toronto Press Club above Hy's on Richmond St. I met him when I had my first  summer job working in public relations in 1970. As I progressed in the business, Joe was always gracious, welcoming and had an amusing story to relate when we saw each other at the Press Club. My thoughts are with his family.

To Joe Burke's Family:

The most professional bartender I have ever known.

Dear Family. I was saddened to read of Joe's passing in the paper today. Every profession has it's professionals. Joe was at the top of the list as he was the best bartender I've ever met. I was a member of the Toronto Press Club for 20 years and a director for several of those.

He had all the qualities of a person of service that made a huge difference to the large number of people that he served. I'll list some of them. He had a very warm welcoming attitude to everyone who approached the bar. A wonderful smile that said what can I do for you. He had a great listening capacity and never gossiped. Your secret was safe with Joe. Everybody at the Toronto Press Club loved and trusted him. 

But beyond that he had the most amazing memory of anybody that I have ever met.  Joe would come to the table, take the order and not write it down. He always got it right and in addition remembered what all of his regulars drank. The bills were always 100% correct. 
I have one story that illustrates the accuracy of his memory and professionalism. 

I was at a meeting with a group of people at a conference at the Sheraton Centre Hotel across from the Press Club. When it was over, about 8:00 o'clock in the evening, I suggested that we all go to the Press Club for a drink. We were a group of 25 people and sat in a large grouping of comfortable chairs around a big coffee table at the North-West end of the club. Joe came over and took everybody's order - without writing it down. He was back in a few minutes with a huge tray of drinks and delivered the right drink to the right people without hesitation and a big smile.  

Now here is the most amazing part of the story. A little while on we were ready for a re-fill.  We hailed Joe and asked for a second round. He said he would be back shortly. He came back with the tray loaded and a smile on his face and delivered the right drinks to the right people with the correct invoices for each person.  Everybody was bowled over with Joe's performance. Now that is the work of a true professional.

I've met and worked with many professionals in my life but Joe was at the top of my list. Never met a better one. I asked Joe one day how was it that he was able to take all the orders and never write them down? He said that he was a bartender - that's why.

Burke Van Valkenburg Sr.

Cobourg, Ont
(905) 377-1781

Joe was a wonderful man. He always had a smile and a story to tell. His compassion during my cancer fight meant a great deal to me. He will be sorely missed at 40 Homewood.

Joe was a true gentleman and although we did not know him well, it was good to say "Hello" and shake his hand whenever he came into the pub over the years.  Please accept our deepest sympathies and may happy memories sustain you at this sad time.  Our thoughts are with you.  Mike and Sue

OBITUARY

Mr. Joseph Patrick Burke

October 29, 1935 – May 31, 2012

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel

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