Brian J. Burke, Sr.

Brian J. Burke, Sr., 79

Warren – Brian J. Burke, Sr., age 79, of Warren, MA formerly of Stafford Springs, CT and East Hartford, CT passed into eternal life on February 20, 2018. Brian was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Judith E. Burke, in February, 2008. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada before moving to Lawrence, MA, he was the son of the late Edmund and Dorothy (Gies) Burke.

After Graduating from Tufts University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, he was employed by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Corporation in East Hartford. In his 34 years at Pratt he was involved in many commercial and military engine development programs before retiring in 1993.

Brian loved sports and played golf, softball, basketball and bowling in various recreational leagues. He was an avid Red Sox fan in addition to being a follower of the Patriots, Celtics and UConn.

Brian was a devoted family man, he leaves those he cherished most, his 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Kathy Ball and her husband Jim of Franklin, MA and her children Bridget, Heather and her husband Eric, and their 4 children; Brayden, Tyler, Nolan and Kaylee; Brian J. Burke, Jr. of Ellington, CT; Susan Brault and her husband Steve of Suffield, CT and their 4 children, Daniel and his wife Samantha, Caitlin, Erin and Kristen and her husband Jay; Christopher Burke and his husband Sean Sweeney of Dorchester, MA; Nancy Schwenker and her husband Andrew of Warren, MA, and their 3 children, Elizabeth, Charlie and Norah. Brian was also survived by his siblings, Patricia Fuller of Chatham, MA and Naples, Fl, Edmund Burke and his wife Gertrude of Pocasset, MA and Maureen Thibodeau and her husband Richard of Westford, MA, as well as many Nieces and Nephews.

A Funeral Mass for Brian will be held on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Sacred Heart Church, 10 Milk Street in West Brookfield.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main Street, West Brookfield.  Burial will be in St. Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Ave., MA 02445 or the American Kidney Fund, 900 Walt Whitman Rd., #304 Melville, NY 11747.

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