Mr. Richard Michael Burke, 87, of Route 163, Fort Plain, New York, died Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at Little Falls Hospital.
Born on September 21, 1925, in Manhattan, N.Y., he was the son of the late Michael Burke and Ann Dugan Burke. He attended schools in Bayside, N.Y., and had been a resident of Fort Plain since 1962.
Mr. Burke was a furniture finisher in Highland, N.Y. He was also a high rise construction worker in New York City for many years and was the owner and operator of 100 Acre Dairy Farm in Fort Plain.
He was of Catholic faith.
Mr. Burke was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II on the USS Alchiba with a rank of Seaman 1st Class. His unit received Presidential Unit Citation for saving the USS Alchiba and for duty above and beyond.
He was a member of the Fort Plain VFW Earl Stock Memorial Post No. 3275, the American Legion Fort Plain Post No. 554 and Disabled American Veterans. He was also a National War Memorial Charter member as well as being a member of the Masonic Lodge.
On April 27, 1957, in the Bronx, N.Y., Richard was married to Kathleen O’Brien. She preceded him in death on June 5, 2010. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Madeline Burke in 1957; brother, Frank Burke; sisters, Florence Simpson Burke, Kathleen White and Rose Whittaker.
Mr. Burke is survived by his two daughters, Barbara and son-in-law, Jack Blair of Florida, Nancy Burke of Oneonta, N.Y.; three sons, Richard Burke of California, James Burke and Shauna Steenburgh of Fort Plain, N.Y., Martin Burke of Fort Plain, N.Y.; brother, Michael J. Burke; six sisters, Dorothy O’Hogan, Patricia Eberlein, Joyce Pine, Geraldine Manely, Renee Meyer, Lorraine Lape; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
A prayer service will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 9:15 a.m. at The Chapel of Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center Street, Fort Plain, NY, followed by the celebration of the Mass of Christian burial on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Reid Street, Fort Plain, N.Y., with Father Dennis Murphy officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, February 8, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Freysbush Cemetery in the spring.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Richard M. Burke may be made to the Disabled American Veterans at DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mr. Burke at www.houghtalingandsmith.com.
