James Edward Burke

James Edward Burke, 80, died peacefully in Port Charlotte Florida on January 30 after an eight month illness. He was the husband of Angela (Andrade) Burke, they were married for 56 years. Jim was born in Fall River MA on April 2, 1928, the son of the late William Henry Burke and Eva Marie (Vermette) Burke. He resided in Bristol and Warren, before retiring to Florida in 1988. He attended St. Marys School in Bristol RI. As a teenager, Jim contracted spinal meningitis, an event that left him profoundly and permanently deaf. This disability was not apparent to his family and friends as Jim quickly developed exceptional lip reading skills that returned to him and those around him the gift of communication, a gift that the hearing take for granted. After spending a year at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, where he was a member of the basketball team, Jim returned to Bristol High School, graduating in 1947. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island, Class of 1951 and was a member of the university track team. He enjoyed a career as a Production Planner at Bristol Manufacturing and the Raytheon Company. Jim was very active in Boy Scouting and served as Scoutmaster for Troop 31 in Providence and Troop 6 in Bristol. Many local men were introduced to outdoor life and received significant reinforcement regarding the concept of common decency as troop members. One of Jims greatest joys was to observe the successes of his former charges as they navigated through their adult lives. Jim was particularly proud of those scouts who attained the rank of Eagle under his guidance. In recognition of his many years of service Jim received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Jim was a dedicated supporter of his alma mater and he participated in fund raising events for many years. He received the Ram Award from The University in 1996, which “recognizes an individual who has unselfishly dedicated his or her efforts toward the betterment of the Alumni Association and/or the University as a whole, for a minimum of 25 years”. Jim was the Founder, President and Treasurer of the Southwestern Florida URI Alumni Chapter, the URI Gators. The club established and maintains an annual scholarship fund for URI students. Jim was also a voracious reader and enthusiastic sport fisherman. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his sons Charles Allen Burke (Mari-Lynn) of Bristol and John William Burke of Houston Texas, his daughter, Christine Anne Lachapelle (John) of Warren, grandchildren Cynthia, Stephanie, Nicole and Nicholas Lachapelle, his sister Lorraine Wilson and nephew Paul Wilson and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved niece and godchild Gail Wilson Perry. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, Monday, July 6, 2009 at 9:00 AM in St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Donations in Jims memory can be made to the Southwest Florida Gators Alumni Chapter Endowment, addressed to URI Foundation, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI, 02881.

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI -->