William Gerard Burke
Born In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Gerard Burke, 70, of Glace Bay passed away Sunday, April 26, 2009, at the Glace Bay Hospital.
Born in Glace Bay, Gerard was the son of the late Thomas Edward and Eliza (MacDonald) Burke.
Gerard was employed at various jobs throughout his lifetime. For eight years he was the lighthouse keeper on Flint and Scaterie Island. He worked for 21 years in the coal mines and served three terms in municipal politics, one term in the Town of Glace Bay and two terms with Cape Breton Regional Municipality and was also the founding member of the Grey Party in the Glace Bay Area. Gerard loved sports, especially playing baseball. He coached bantam baseball for 15 years, broomball, and was a member of the Devco Bowling League.
Gerard was an advocate for the poor, always trying to lend a helping hand. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 3, Glace Bay and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Gerard was very community-minded and was always helping students obtain summer grants to give them some independence in their growing years. But mostly, Gerard will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife the former, Marian McNeil; one daughter, Patricia, Glace Bay; two sons, Tommy (Adele), Alberta, Sean (Francine), Glace Bay; six grandchildren, Samantha, Emma, Liam, Cate, Sandy, Cassie and several nieces and nephews.
Gerard was predeceased by his son, Sandy, four brothers, Rannie, Tommy, Johnny, Walter, two sisters, Marguerite and Marlene.
Visitation will take place Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-4, 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral mass officiated by Rev. Conrad Edwards is Thursday at 2 p.m. in St. Anthony’s Church, Glace Bay, followed by a reception in the church hall. Gerard will be cremated and interred in the parish cemetery at a later date.
As an expression of sympathy for Gerard, donations in his memory may be made to the Cape Breton Palliative Care Unit.
Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
