Matthew J. Burke, 49, of New Bedford, passed away at St. Luke's Hospital on Wednesday October 21, 2015, after a brief illness. Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Richard E. and Patricia R. (Mahoney) Burke of Lakeville.
Mr. Burke was a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School, and attended Framingham State College and UMass Amherst. He worked as a carpenter and mason before suffering a serious head injury in a motorcycle accident in 1991. He recovered from his injury to lead an independent, inspiring life.
He is survived by his brother, Richard E. Burke, Jr., and his wife Patricia of Dartmouth; his sister, Margaret Mastrofrancesco, and her husband Joseph of New Bedford; and his niece and nephew, Sarah and Colin Burke of Dartmouth. He is also survived by his PCAs and his good friend Randy Byron of CMHS, and many other friends and relatives.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM in St. Lawrence Church, followed by burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.