Francis J. Burke, 93 of Medway died April 28 in the Blackstone Nursing Home. He was the husband of Bernice (Hanlon) Burke for the past 67 years.
Born in Brockton, October 8, 1915, he was the son of the late T. Francis and Mae T. (Gormley) Burke.
Mr. Burke graduated for Brockton High School and went on to Boston College where he was a member of the track team. He did his graduate studies in education at the University of Rhode Island.
Mr. Burke began his educational career as teacher/principal of the North Street School in Medway. Francis then became principal in Seekonk, Mass. While there, he also coached junior high sports and also coached the Providence Steamrollers professional football team.
Mr. Burke returned to Medway as the Superintendent of Schools from 1955 until his retirement in 1974. That same year the Town renamed the Medway elementary school in his honor the Francis J. Burke School.
Mr. Burke was a guest lecturer at Boston State College and was a consultant for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
In addition to his prominent career in education, he was an accomplished musician.
He served as organist and choir director for many years at St. Joseph’s Church in Medway.
Following his retirement, he became choir director and organist at Sacred Heart Church in Hopedale and also held the same position at Arnold Mills Methodist Church in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
He also had private students in piano and organ throughout the area.
Francis’s impact will resonate through his family, friends and colleagues.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Robert F. Burke and his wife, Ellen of Athol, Thomas F. Burke and his wife, Linda of Key West, Florida, Joseph P. Burke and his wife, Joan of Uxbridge, Mary Fahey and her husband, Michael of Uxbridge and Susan Groehl and her husband, Robert of Uxbridge.
He is also survived by his sister, Alice V. Burke.
He was the brother of the late Walter and William Burke, Florence McCann and MaeRose Burke.
He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 2 from the Ginley-Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway at 9:15 followed by a funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church at 10:00 a.m.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Medway.
Calling hours will be on Friday form 5-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Mount St. Mary’s Abby, 300 Arnold St., Wrentham, MA 02093 or the Activities Dept of Blackstone Nursing Home, 8 Butler St., Blackstone, MA 01504.