Patrick Joseph Sharkey

Mr.Patrick Joseph Sharkey of Waltham died Monday July 18, 2005 in Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford, Maine. He was 82. Born in Lynn, a son of the late John and Gertrude (Sherin) Sharkey, he graduated from Lynn Classical in 1941. After that, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and served overseas as a radio communications specialist. Following the war, he returned home and worked for General Electric. He fell in love with Elaine Joan Bursey, married her and relocated in Waltham. There he accepted a civil service position at Hanscom Air Force Base and later at the prestigious Lincoln Laboratories. He continued working in the radio communications field being sent around the globe to help develop and procure the latest technologies in radio frequency and radar systems for U.S. Air Force bases. After his retirement, Joe kept busy as a 'Jack-of-all trades'. He was very skilled in all aspects of construction, and always had an ongoing project. He was always available to help his family and friends with his varied talents and his generous heart. He spent summers in Ocean Park, Maine where he completely remodeled his beach house. Joe is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elaine J. (Bursey), two sons, Patrick J. Sharkey and his wife Sonja of Boston and Timothy J. Sharkey and his wife Jennifer of Waltham; one daughter, Kathleen J. Perry and her husband Henry of Brewster, seven grandchildren, one great-grandson and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service on Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Society, 20 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701 or to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 265 Burlington, MA 01803.