John (Jack) Burke departed this world on June 29, 2017 at Parkwood Hospital, London ON.
John, born August 9, 1925 in Toronto ON, is the fourth child of John Joseph (1967) and Annie (Orr) Burke (1942). Brothers Stanley (1997), James (1945), Edmond (2007), and sister-in-law Ivy (2011) predecease him. John is survived by siblings Patricia Usselman (Tony 2003) of Chilliwack B.C. and David (Rita) of Invermere B.C. Many nieces and nephews will remember Uncle Jack.
John is the loving father of Judith (Chuck), Jo-Anne (Ward) and Michael (Deanne). His legacy is found in his six Dinney and Simmons grandchildren: Sunny (Mads), Jayden (Britt), Maria (Michael), Adam (April 2017), Jane (Tyler), Ann (Dan), and great-grandchildren Minni, Maggie, Harper, Benjamin, Gavin, Stuart, and Reef. Dad will be in the hearts of Jay (Tonille) and Allan Mallette and their families. Jennifer Gignac and Megan Scruton and their families will remember him. Dad loved us all to the end of the world. Dad, we loved you well.
Dad asks that we remember him in a private family service, the bequeathal of his body to the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, and in this poem.
To Remember Me by Robert Noel Test (1926 – 1994)
The day will come when my body will lie upon a white sheet neatly tucked under four corners of a mattress located in a hospital busily occupied with the living and the dying.
At a certain moment, a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped.
When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don’t call this my deathbed. Let it be called my Bed of Life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.
Give my sight to a man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby’s face or love in the eyes of a woman.
Give my heart to a person whose own heart has pain.
Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreck of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.
Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.
Take my bones, every muscle, every fibre and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.
Explore every corner of my brain.
Take my cells, if necessary, and let them grow so that, some day, a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her windows.
Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow.
If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all my prejudice against my fellow man.
Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you.
If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.
Thanks go to Byron Medical Clinic (London), Goderich Place Retirement Home, and especially Parkwood Hospital (London). You shared with us the last leg of the journey. Because of you, Dad made this trek with dignity and grace. Thank you.
A private graveside service and interment will take place at Barrie Union Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, John’s family appreciates donations to Community Living South Huron or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Haskett Funeral Home, Exeter.
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We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Mike and JoAnne Pickering
Judy and Chuck and the Burke family sending you hugs sorry to hear of you dads passing. Live sure can deal you a hand sometimes that seems so hard to be able to shuffle, but we move forward and remember all the good times.. Mike and JoAnne P
George and Elaine Keller
Judy, Joanne, Mike and families. Our condolence to you and your families. John was a huge part of our lives. He was a great source of inspiration and will never be forgotten.
George and Elaine
Ron and Glenda Lindenfield
Judy, Jo-Anne & Mike. The poem said it all, what a great man who will be missed by many, our sincere condolences
Jim/Yvonne Fisher Barnetson
Condolences to Jo-Anne and family from Jim and Yvonne(Fisher) Barnetson. I am sure you have a lot of wonderful memories.
Helen and William Delorme
Burke Family
I work with John at Kongskilde Ltd. in Sales.
His poem tell us , he love his family and people around him.
Our condolence to the Family
Helen and William
Braden Whilsmith
To Mike & Dean and the Burke family
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. It’s a difficult thing to lose a father, Thinking of you all
Sincerely, Braden & Jeannette
Brad, Lori and Marley Baker
Judy, Jo-Anne and Mike
Our sympathies to all of you on the loss of your father. From the messages read above, I wish I had known him. He sound like an amazing gentleman. I can only imagine how proud of all of you and your families he was.
Heather and Pat Joynt
Judy, Jo-Anne and Mike,
So sorry to hear you have lost your Dad. He was respected and loved. You will miss him. Just wanted you to know, we are thinking of you as you and your families remember him and his remarkable life. xo
George and Sue Wilson
Judy, Jo-Anne, Mike and families, We are saddened to hear of your Father’s passing. John was a nice man. I remember when you were my neighbours on Main Street. Cherish your memories. May you find peace and comfort. Hugs and prayers, George and Sue Wilson
Donna Perry
Judy, Joanne, Mike and families
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. The poem is wonderful. I am sure you will have many happy memories to share and remember the good times.
With Deepest Sympathy Donna Perry
Sherrie Broderick
So very sorry to read of your loss. May your many wonderful memories bring you solace at this time.
John & Mary Becker
Jo-Anne, Judy, Mike & Families
So sorry to hear of your Father’s passing! Thinking of you all at this difficult time and may the love of your family and friends help you through the days ahead.
Clarence Rau
I got to meet John when hired on at Kongskilde in the 60s . He really left a great impression of a wonder man and leader. My thoughts and prayers are with all the Burke family.
Bob Simpson
My condolences to Joanne, Judy, Mike & their families:
I was given the opportunity to join KC for employment in 1980 by John & others for 30 yrs. It was because of him that I could raise & support my family. He was generous, kind, fun loving, intelligent and hard working. It was through John’s efforts that a once small (Cdn) division of a world wide company grew to such a large respected one. It employed many people in Cda & USA, also supporting other Exeter area businesses in many ways.
We are sorry to hear of John’s passing, actually a better poem could not have been used in memory of such a wonderful man.
Joanne Bengough
Judy, Jo-Anne ,Michael and families, our deepest sympathies to you all. What an amazing poem, it certainly tells us so much about him. Many lives were touched by him when he was alive and will continue to touch many more. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen & Randy Stanlake
I met John at Kongskilde well over 30 years ago. Was impressed with his kindness and compassion. He was very well liked by the office staff. May he rest in peace, We are sending our condolences to the family.
Michael Mallette
I had some interesting conversations with John about life and things that have left a mark on my heart. You will be missed. Our love goes out to the family you have left behind, they all have a little piece of you.
Mike & Stephany Mallette
Evelyn Vincent
To Jack’s family,
Sincere sympathy in your great loss. May the memories have happier times help bring you peace and comfort.
Brenda Couckuyt
I had the pleasure of meeting John while volunteering at Legion sponsored events at Parkwood. He was a true gentleman and I was honored to be able to share some fun hours and get to know him. John was so proud of his family and this clearly showed on one occasion when he introduced me to Jo-Anne and Ward.
My deepest sympathy to all on the loss of a very special man.
Brenda Couckuyt
Veteran’s Memorial
Branch 498
Grand Bend
Jack triebner
To the family of john burke our condolences
Jack triebner & betty blue .
Ena de Haan
Dear Judy , Joanne and families,
Your dad must have been a very special man! I conclude this from the poem quoted. Wishing you all well now that he is gone but he had a full life I’m sure and you will miss him anyway……..
Lynn & Gary Mallette
John, we will miss you dearly. Your spirit shines through your children, Judy, Jo-Anne and Michael. Your heart glows through Jane and Ann. Your love has been equally dispensed to the rest of us who knew you. We will miss your “Bear hugs” and “hearty” handshakes.