Dr. Thomas Gerard Burke, age 46, of 1227 Scoville Road, Lexington KY and Atlantic Ave., Groton Long Point CT, died Tuesday morning at his home in Connecticut after a brief illness.
Tom was born in Hartford on August 31, 1955 the son of the late Edward Francis Burke and Mary Regina Grezel Burke. Raised in Connecticut, he attended St. Mary Elementary School in Portland and was a 1973 graduate of Xavier High School in Middletown. He was also a graduate of Holy Cross College and Georgetown University and received his PhD from American University.
He served as Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics at the University of kentucky since 1996. He previously served as Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy at Ohio State University.
He will lovingly be remembered for his devotion to his family, faith and cancer research.
Tom was married to Lori Jo Latus-Burke at St. Patrick Church, Mystic on September 3, 1994.
In addition to his wife, Tom leaves his two sons, Dylan and Aidan Burke,Two brothers, Edward and Joseph Burke, both of Portland; two sisters Sheila Burke of W. Hartford and Maryanne Janson of Morristown, NJ and Groton Long Pt. Other family members include nephews, Brian, Matthew and Christopher Janson and a niece, Megan Janson.
Tom’s family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Thursday evening from 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass will be concelebrated at St. Patrick Church, East Main Street, Mystic on Friday at 12noon. Burial will be private.
Donations may be made to the family to be used toward a college fund for Dylan and Aidan Burke, or to Hospice of Southeastern CT.
POST SERVICE OBITUARYA Funeral Mass was concelebrated at St. Patrick Church on Friday for Dr. Burke.Celebrating the Mass were Rev. David M. McDonald, Rev. Robert M. Mitchell, S.J., and Rev. Charles A. McGrail, pastor of St. Patrick Church.
Hymns chosen included "On Eagle's Wings", "Be Not Afraid", "Here I am Lord", and "City of God".
Reflections were given by Brian Janson and Michael J. Custy.
Serving as pallbearers were Edward and Joseph Burke, Michael, Brian, Matthew and Christopher Janson.