Richard Burke
May 9, 1943 ~ December 16, 2020
Born in:
Rochester, NY
Resided in:
Greece, NY
Richard Burke
Greece: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at age 77 went home to be with his father, Robert Burke; brother, Peter Burke. He is survived by his mother, Jean Burke; loving wife of 52 years, Christine Burke; children, Kerry (Lawrence Samuelson) Burke, Kevin (Sara) Burke, Wendy (Alan) Houser, Marick Schwartz; grandchildren, Josephine Samuelson, Mackenzie Burke and Aiden Schleyer; brothers, Michael, Thomas (Nancy) and James (Mary Kay) Burke; sisters, Laurie (Charles) Thibault and Lyn Fassel; several nieces, nephews & cousins; loving family and dear friends.
Richard retired from Eastman Kodak Co. after 34 years and went to work for Van Putte Garden Center where he worked for over 18 years. He enjoyed volunteering at West Ridge Elementary School and political campaigns for former congressman Tom Reynolds and Chris Lee. He enjoyed sports and playing golf. He loved spending quality time with his grandchildren and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Richard’s Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, December 21st 10:30 AM at Our Mother of Sorrows Church 5000 Mt. Read Blvd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society in his memory. For more information and to sign his online guestbook, visit www.meesonfamily.com
Services
Service: December 21, 2020 10:30 pm
Our Mother of Sorrows Church
5000 Mt. Read Blvd
Rochester, NY 14612
View current weather.
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Richard Burke 's name.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
May Uncle Dick Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Chris and family. My deepest sympathies.
Irwin and I are sorry for your loss. I enjoyed meeting Richard and going out to dinner with him and the family when I visited last year. Irwin and I wish he could have shared the joy of Kevin and Sara’s wedding this year, but we know his memory will live on in all the lives he touched.
With love,
Pam and Irwin
Sincerely, Jim & Cindy Schoeneman
To Chris and family, I send my heart-felt condolences on the passing of Dick. He was a wonderful soul who had a truly amazing career at Eastman Kodak Co, where I first met him in the early 1990’s while he was working in 13 Room. Later, we worked on many film products and projects together for the Motion Picture business when he moved into “the Big House”, Building 38’s coating complex. His work ethic, personality, blue eyes, and smile, and of course his wearing shorts in the summer, made him very likeable by all, and his memory and what I’ve gleamed from him through the years will be with me till my passing. He was a true diamond in the rough and in these hard times, think of all the smiles and emotions that he gave to others in all of the film that he hard a big part in creating – including nearly all the movies of the 1990 – 2001 timeframe. That is a special gift given to the world.
Know that your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of Christmas, of loss and transition. Dick is still with us all, but only in a different way. May his soul rest in the love of Christ for a job well done here on earth.
Dear Mike, Laurie& Charlie, and the rest of the Burke Family. So sad to hear of Dick’s passing. Along with other writings above, enjoyed working with Dick at Kodak and seeing him at Van Putte Garden Center. Truly a gentle soul and may him and Bob Doran enjoy playing golf like the good ole days, Heaven’s Best!
Jean and Dick’s extended family. So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. I met Dick playing little ball in the late 50’s. I was best man at Dick’s wedding and Marick, I am your godfather. I moved to SC 20 years ago and lost touch with everyone at that time. I do come back to Rochester every summer. I would like to reunite.
Bill O’Neill
Bill, feel free to call me 585-330-7226 or Tom 585-802-3658. I’m sure everyone would love to see you again. Unfortunately Bob passed in 2004, and Jean just passed on 12/27/20 at the age of 101! 2020 was not a good year got the Burke family
Take care and stay safe
We met Dick 44 years ago in the hospital when we were roommates after our sons were born. It was an instant friendship. That first night Dick and Dave bonded at our house over a celebratory drink and so our regular get togethers began. For many years we had our family dinners, day trips and vacations together. They were the “best of times”. We took “adults only” trips to Toronto and Niagara Falls and lots of wonderful dinner dates. Dick introduced me to wine and after dinner drinks of all kinds. He had a quick wit and never failed to make us laugh and thoroughly enjoy our time together. His smile could light up the room. As the “kids” became teenagers, our times together weren’t as frequent, but we never stopped being friends. This will be the first Christmas in many years that we won’t be on the receiving end of our “Merry Christmas” phone call from Dick….he never missed us. We pray that you find comfort in the fact that he no longer has pain and remember his love for all of you remains forever in your hearts and memories. God bless you all. We will miss him!
God Bless.
Mike Waters
I had the pleasure of waiting on Richard at Bruggers and then at Tim Hortons.
We shared the love of being Irish.
Our lilac bush we purchased from you at Van Puttes is thriving!
You will be remembered fondly….
May the road rise to meet you…