WESTFIELD – John F. “Jack” Burke passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91 on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. A native of Westfield, Jack graduated from WHS in 1940. Active in sports, he was a member of the football and basketball teams at WHS, and a member of the first Westfield High School Hockey team. He was a Life Scout with the Boy Scouts of America and attended the first Boy Scout’s Jamboree in Washington, D.C. with his friend Don Hatch of Westfield in 1937.
Jack served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1948, learning air traffic control which would become his life-long career. He controlled air traffic at Washington National Airport (now Reagan) in D.C., Idlewild Airport (now Kennedy) in New York and Bradley International Airport in CT. He retired in 1983 after more than 40 years of service with the Federal Government.
Jack was a communicant of St. Mary Parish in Westfield, and known by many for his longtime hobby of making and repairing rosary beads. He had always enjoyed writing poetry, and in his later years had several published along with a few scenic photos. He taught his children and grandchildren to ice skate, something he always enjoyed. He “hung up his skates” at the age of 80. Known to have a great sense of humor, Jack was a kind, compassionate and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Those that knew him would agree his lifelong motto was “Just in Case”; always wanting to be prepared!
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Eileen (McGauran) Burke and his siblings, James T. Burke (Bud) and Anne Burke Mahoney. Jack is survived by his 4 children, Kathryn (Kit) Burke and her partner Terri Modlesky of Quincy, John T. Burke of Westfield, Rita Hurt of Westfield and Thomas W. Burke and his wife Wendy of Westfield. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Nina Burke of Tennessee, Theresa Hurt of Westfield and Sean Hurt and his wife Stephanie of Maryland. Jack had 2 great-grandchildren, Parker and Michael Hurt of Maryland. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Lou McGauran; nephew, Alan McGauran; nieces, Eileen McGauran, Cathy Burke Caples and Margaret Burke all of California. The family would like to especially thank Laverne Barnett, “the Doctor”, for her exceptional care and kindness to Jack over the last two years.
His funeral will be Monday, April 7th at 9:30 a.m. from the Robert E Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street (Route 20), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, all in Westfield. Visiting hours are Sunday, April 6th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions to St Mary’s Parish, 30 Bartlett St, Westfield, MA 01085 or the Wounded Warriors Project at woundedwarriorsproject.org
