Obituaries

Edward R. Burke

Edward R. Burke of Mattituck died May 19, 2012, at his home. The 22-year member and retired captain of the FDNY was 92 years old.

He was born in Flushing, N.Y., on Aug. 5, 1919, to Joseph and Alice Burke. After graduation from Bayside High School, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where, as a pilot and wing commander of a B17 bomber, he flew 35 missions. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant after four years of service.

On May 31, 1947, he married Eileen M. O’Keefe in Flushing. Formerly of Bayside, Queens, he had lived in Mattituck for 53 years and was an active communicant of Sacred Heart Parish and a member of the Mattituck Gun Club for over 40 years.

Predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Eileen M. Burke, on Dec. 4, 2004, he leaves his children: William J. Burke and Edward J. Burke (twins), Susan Burke, Deborah Burke, Thomas Burke and Robert Burke; loving sister Marjorie Carroll; seven grandchildren: Henry, Daniel, Patrick, Robert, Meaghan, Robert and Suzanne; and two great-grandchildren, Ariel and Natalie.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home by Monsignor Joseph W. Staudt. Interment, with U.S. Air Force military honors, will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.