Jim passed peacefully at home on September 10 2024, surrounded by his family in Orlando, Florida.
Jim was born July 3 1944 to James and Catherine (Mullane) Burke, in Saint Albans, New York. He was the third of four children.
Jim proudly served in the Marine Corps, entering in 1961 and honorably discharged as Lance Corporal in 1966.
From 1966-1980, Jim worked in many roles across many states until he settled as a bartender in New York. He eventually used his mathematical talent to become a bookkeeper. Jim welcomed his daughter Catherine Burke in 1970. He married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth (McDonough) Burke, in 1980. Jim and Mary welcomed their son Seamus Patrick Michael in 1988.
After being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 1990, the family moved from Long Island, New York to Ormond Beach, Florida in 1993. Jim served as Chairman of the East Central Florida Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and also served as Treasurer on the National Board of the MGFA. Jim also served the American Legion Post 120 of Holly Hill, FL in their Honor Guard. While in Florida, Jim enjoyed paradise with his abundant family and the friends who were made family along the way. Jim embraced life, and in his retirement you could find him fishing, golfing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary; children Seamus and Catherine; daughter-in-law Connie; grandchildren Calliope, Hera, Ryan, and Jared; sisters Kathleen and Maryanne; brothers-in-law Michael, George, and Jeffrey; sisters-in-law Daria, Nancy, and Margaret; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother Lawrence; and brothers-in-law Richard Wachter and Carmine Amelio.