Joseph William ‘Burke’ McIntosh
Born In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: January 30th, 2010
Joseph William ‘Burke’ McIntosh, 89, Sydney. After a lengthy illness, Burke passed away at home surrounded by his loving family Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010.
Burke was born in 1921 to Professor Bernie and Freda (MacLellan) McIntosh, in Glace Bay. He spent most of his life in Mira Ferry and Sydney.
Burke is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen (Kay MacInnis); daughters, Jane Scott, Elizabeth (Philip Walsh), Patricia (Gary Mason, deceased), Mary Ellen (Neil Scribner), Frances (Ken Groenewegen); and sons, Michael (Bernadette), Bernie (Tara), John (Ruth) and David (Marjorie). He is also survived by grandchildren, Sarah and Shelagh Scott, Jessica, Rachael, Shawn and Owen McIntosh, Victoria McIntosh, Jamie, Meaghan, Johnathan and Liam Scribner, Jason, Mia and David Groenewegen, Kristina and Jordan McIntosh, Natasha Gillie, Kathryn and Anna McIntosh, Burke and Audrey McIntosh and nephew, Robert Young (Raylene). On Jan. 8, 2010, Burke and Kay were blessed with great-grandchildren, Jasper and Shephard Dorland.
Burke attended Sydney Academy and graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1950 and 1951 with a BSc and a high school teaching licence. Burke worked at Sydney Steel Plant lab department and later taught school in Cape Breton and Halifax.
He joined the RCAF during the Second World War in 1941 and mustered out in 1945 as a flying officer. During the war his plane was shot down over Germany. He was captured and was a prisoner of war until the war ended. Burke had an interesting experience a few years ago. He was involved in correspondence with a family from the town in Germany where his plane crashed and three crew members were killed. This was the family that witnessed Burke parachute into their yard. The 15-year old daughter had kept a diary of that evening in February 1945. They watched where Burke had hidden his parachute and the next day they recovered it and made clothes for their family. The diary writer said the clothes were much needed and had lasted for years. This year of correspondence, through the nephew of one of the men who was killed on the plane, ended with an invitation to the town in Germany where this nephew and his family attended a memorial service. It was also attended by the family that started the research as well as the mayor and people of the village who became involved in this research of RCAF flight 408. A brass plaque was struck to remember the whole crew. The names of those who died and those who lived are inscribed on this memorial. Burke was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 12.
He was an avid sportsman here in Cape Breton. He was a member of several professional senior baseball teams in the 1940s. He coached junior ball in the late 50s, was a member of the Lingan Golf Club, and several legion bowling teams up until this year. He loved to sing and could harmonize to any song. He was very humble about his musical talents and his family loved to hear him play a tune on the piano.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will gather to remember Burke in T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 2 between 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m., in Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Anthony O’Connor officiating with interment in Mira Park Cemetery at a late date.
Donations may be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses, or a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com.
