Salem, New Hampshire – Walter S. Burke, and beloved husband of Helen M. (McLoughlin) Burke died peacefully on Monday at Salem Haven Nursing Home, Salem, NH at the age of 92. Walter exemplified the life of a man from what is deservedly referred to as the “greatest generation” of our country.
Born in Lowell. Massachusetts on September 29 1915 to Patrick and Margaret, (Brady), Burke of County Galway, Ireland, Walter was one of six children: Francis, John, Thomas, Catherine, and Edward, all deceased.
Walter served in the United States Army from 1935 to 1939 and again from 1942 to 1945 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Upon his discharge, Walter was employed for 33 yrs. by Eastern Airlines. During his tenure at Eastern Airlines, 1947 to 1980 and in his capacity as chief purser, Walter traveled the world in what was then the dawn of worldwide air transportation.
Walter and Helen raised their family in North Andover, MA where they were attendants of St. Michael’ Church. In 1985 they moved to their current home in Salem, NH and joined Mary Queen of Peace Parish.
Upon his retirement in 1980, Walter relished spending time with his growing family and continued to enjoy playing golf, a game he learned in childhood while caddying and extending during his military enlistment as a member of the United States Army Golf Team. For many years Walter was a member of Andover Country Club and later the Merrimack Valley Golf Club.
In 1991 at the age of 76, Walter won the Allen B. Rogers Tournament, Senior Champion.
In addition to his wife Helen, his beloved wife of 59 years, Walter leaves three sons: Thomas and wife Brenda of Salem, NH, John and wife Debbie of Chester, NH, Michael Burke of Salem, NH, and daughter-in-Law Ellen Burke of Hampstead, NH, as well as six adoring grandchildren, Patrick, Christopher, Sean, Katherine, Bridget, and Kerri, whose life’s successes were a great source of pride to him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Patel and the staff of floor 5 at the Lawrence General Hospital, Dr. Sakr and his staff, the staff of Salem Haven and the EMT’s of the Salem Fire Department for their care and comfort over the last several weeks.
A funeral mass to which relatives and friends are invited to celebrate will take place on Friday morning at 10 o’clock in Mary Queen of Peace Church.
At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc. 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen
Memorial contributions may be made to the special care unit at the Salem Haven Nursing Home 23 Geremonty Drive Salem, NH 03079 or to the charity of ones choice.