Philip E. Burke

Mr. Philip E. Burke, III of Naples, Florida and Waltham died on January 23, 2021 in Florida. He was 83 years old.

Phil was born in Waltham on April 15, 1937, the son of the late Philip E. Burke, Jr. and Rita (Greenwood) Burke. After graduating from Waltham High School in 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On May 26, 1957 he married fellow Waltham native, Joan D. Bond, in Beth Eden Baptist Church. The pair remained in Waltham where they would raise their sons and daughter. As the kids grew many happy memories were made each summer at the family cottage on Buzzards Bay. Phil was outgoing by nature and enjoyed staying busy. Some of his hobbies included practicing Judo, obtaining a brown belt; a love for photography and developing his own pictures and later in life wood carving. Retirement afforded he and Joan the opportunity to winter in Naples, Florida where they had a host of friends, many from Waltham.

Before his retirement he had worked his entire career at the family business of P.E. Burke Moving & Storage Company out of Waltham. He was active in his community and was a member of Rotary, a past president of the Massachusetts Movers Association and the Waltham Jaycees. After his retirement he also enjoyed volunteering at the YMCA.

He was the beloved husband of over 50 years to the late Joan D. (Bond) Burke who died in May of 2015. He is survived by his children, Philip E. Burke (Michelle) of Sudbury, Cathy J. Burke of Warwick, RI and Jeffrey C. Burke (Carol) of Farmington Hills, MI; his grandchildren, Justin Burke (Ellie), Tyler Burke, Kristen Spartichino, Dominic Spartichino (Fatima), Carly Willey (Ben), Heidi Burke, Kristen Burke and Holly Burke; his great-grandchild, Gabriel Spartichino and by his brother, Gerald Burke of Holliston.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.