Edward Hower Burke, 93, a resident of Mount Vernon, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2012 at the Mira Vista Care Center in Mount Vernon, WA.
Ed was born on November 15, 1918 in Blanchard, Washington, the son of Frank & Grace (Hower) Burke. He was raised in the Bow-Edison area and graduated from Burlington-Edison High School with the class of 1937. After graduation he attended college in Michigan.
When WW II broke out he enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 8, 1941, serving his country in Okinawa, the South Pacific and in Alaska. After his discharge in 1945 he returned to Washington and attended Seattle University where he earned a degree in Engineering.
On September 30, 1950 Ed was united in marriage to Regina “Marion” Ansman and they made their home in Seattle. Ed worked as an engineer for Boeing for over 35 years designing airplane interiors, mostly working on the 747’s. After his retirement he made his home in San Diego, CA for several years until returning to the Skagit Valley.
Ed was dedicated to his community, volunteering many hours to RSVP, he was also instrumental in starting Seattle’s food bank and he was an advocate for and helped many of the migrant working families.
He was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the NAACP. He was loyal to his friends, his family, his country and his God.
Ed is survived by his daughters, Therese Quinn and Mary Burke of Everett, WA and Barbara Burke of Bellingham, WA; his grandchildren, Sean Quinn, Joe Quinn and Briana Dobbs and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marion and his brother, Bob Burke.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:15 PM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mount Vernon with Father Martin Bourke, Celebrant. Inurnment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials in memory of Ed may be made to: Camp Brotherhood, www.joiningforces.forgood.org (a website with a list of organizations that help veterans and military families, or a community food bank. Funeral floral arrangements may be sent to Lemley Chapel.
Services and cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
I was privileged to be able to visit and pray with Ed at Mountain Glen for many years, and recently at Mira Vista. We shared the Lord’s Prayer last Tuesday and I kissed him and told him I loved him. He was a wonderful man who shared himself easily with others. He was so proud of his family. You gave him much joy. I will miss him.
My condolences,
Margie Adams
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mount Vernon.
Ed Burke was my father, Bill Schacht’s best friend from the time they were 3 years old. I heard so often from my father about the importance of good friends and I enjoyed listening to them and with even greater appreciation these last years, while getting them together these last years for visits.
Dad was proud to know Ed because of his brilliance in his work at Boeing, his braveness in having served his country during very scary times, his love of adventures as evidenced by their reminiscing about their school years, but most of all by his love of his family. Proud of his daughters always, sharing stories, Mr.Burke was both interested as well as interesting. Genuinely, it was a pleasure getting to know him better these last years. To his girls, you must be so glad to have Ed Burke as your Dad! I know you will miss him.
My sincerest sympathy to Ed’s family.
My heart goes out to my cousins, Mary, Theresa and Barbara, I know how hard it is to loose a loved one, I remember all the good times when our families got together. I have such great memories of those times. Uncle Ed is up there at peace with lots of family.
A visit to or from Uncle Ed was always a happy experience. My Dad, Bob Burke like to tell us stories of growing up with Ed and their group of friends. I will miss you and I hope you are happy with the rest of your family who proceeded you to heaven. It will be nice for you and my Dad to be able to have a conversation without having to yell to overcome each others deafness!
What a wonderful life well lived. He was an excellent example as a husband, a father and a friend. His charms were many; I always think of the way he could tell a terrible joke and make it funny. He couldn’t carry a tune but that didn’t stop him from belting it out in church. I’ve been missing him for years but now he will be closer for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you Therese, Mary and Barbara.
Godspeed Ed.
A life lived long and well.
My condolences to all his family.
We all miss Dad a whole bunch. But we also know that he is with Mom right now. And he does not have to stay in that bed any longer. He is probably out walking with Mom and looking for some volunteer work to do.
If you would like to come by my house for a wake after the funeral, please contact me.We will be celebrating the great and wonderful life of dad and remembering all the things he did to make this world a better place than when he came into it.
As a grand daughter of Bob Burke (his brother), I have very fond memories of Uncle Ed! I remember thinking as a young girl how tall he was and yet how gentle and kind hearted, and for his time he was tall indeed! I think both My grandfather and Uncle Ed, would be proud to know the genetic pool they provided is living proof in my oldest son, Oliver (age 7), who is an amazing 88lbs and already 4’8″ tall, off the charts for his age! What an amazing legacy to pass on. Life is indeed precious, live every day to its fullest! I pray the legacy of a long life is also passed on to our next generation! Love and blessings go out to my extended and distant family!
Farewll and Eternal rest grant to you Uncle Ed. I know Dad was so happy to see your smiling face; Marion, Grandma and Grandpa, too. I know your girls will miss you so much but I know you are @ peace and your body deserved it’s rest. I also, bet you have left a huge hole @ Mira Vista. Your presence always filled the room. I love and thank you for so many wonderful memories!
My prayers will be with you my dear cousins. I know what a loss this is for you, now with both parents gone.
Ed Burke was my Uncle, he was a very loving and caring Uncle. He was very humorous and like adventure.
Lots of great memory with you Uncle Ed.
My thoughts are with Thesese Quinn, Mary Burke and Barbara Burke.
Remember the good times.