Patrick Burke, 97, of Bronx, NY passed away May 17, 2024. Patrick was born on February 1, 1927 to Thomas and Bridget (Herbert) Burke in Kilbride, Ballycastle, County Mayo Ireland.
Growing up with his three brothers and two sisters Patrick developed a love for nature, animals, sports, politics, food, music and dancing. Patrick worked the family farm with his father and siblings and took a special interest to training young horses to prepare for plowing the fields. After years of toiling on the farm, in May 1953, at age 26, Patrick emigrated to America and arrived in New York.
On August 31, 1957, he married Margaret Mary McCarthy at Immaculate Conception RC Church in Washington Heights, New York City and together they were blessed with two sons: Thomas Patrick and Michael John.
Patrick devoted his career to 35 years of service with AT&T and its spinoffs New York Telephone Company and Verizon where he worked all over the Bronx and developed many long friendships.
Patrick loved Irish Music, frequently attending the parish dances, local pub sing alongs and spent hours of his spare time listening to the classic songs of Ireland.
He was an avid walker, up and down the hills of Riverdale and seemed to know everyone in the neighborhood. Patrick was a faithful parishioner at Sacred Heart (Highbridge), St John’s (Kingsbridge) and St Gabriel’s (Riverdale) where he attended weekly Saturday evening Mass and served as an usher.
Patrick was an ardent supporter of his beloved County Mayo, Gaelic Football Club. And came to enjoy the American sports scene through the activities of his two sons.
Patrick loved to cook and entertain with heaping portions of his famous mashed potatoes and turnips on the dinner table where the conversation and debates were dominated by recent world news events, politics and sports.
Patrick was a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor to many. His kindness, generosity and spirituality touched everyone who knew him.
Patrick is survived by his two loving sons Thomas (Joan), Michael and grandson, Nelson. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, brother-in-law, Dan Daly, and many loving nieces and nephews and their children in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.
He is predeceased by his devoted wife of 52 years, Margaret; his sisters Kathleen (Grier), Bridget (Hughes) and his three brothers Michael, Martin and Thomas (aka Eamon).
Patrick, a true Irish gentleman will be dearly missed by all who had known and loved him, yet, his legacy of love and devotion to family, friends and neighbors will continue to grow in our hearts forever. May he rest in peace.
Reposing Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 4 - 8 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am on Wednesday at St. Gabriel’s Church, Riverdale, NY. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
Scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Patrick Burke Funeral Mass
Time: May 22, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88017231664 Meeting ID: 880 1723 1664
Please text or WhatsApp message Will Jacobson: (914) 357-3332 if you are having any issues with Zoom.