BANGOR - Robert J. “Bob” Burke, 82, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior, February 13, 2019, after a brave and courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born August 29, 1936, in Bangor, the son of Peter and Emmaline (Conley) Burke.
Bob lived his entire life in Bangor, the second youngest of eight children. He was a devout Catholic, attending both St. Mary’s and St. John’s churches, his lifelong faith carried him through life’s joys and sorrows.
Growing up he attended St. John Elementary and John Bapst High School. He loved fishing trips with his buddies and was an avid sports fan. He loved baseball and football, in his younger days was a baseball player, even winning a championship game as a little leaguer. Bob loved his Red Sox and the Patriots, this was a good year!
After high school Bob joined the National Guard for six years as a sharp shooter, but it was in 1957 with the encouragement of his big brother Leo, Bob joined The Bangor Fire Department as a private. Over the next 33 years he worked his way through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief the last eight years of his career before he retired from the BFD in 1990. During his tenure as Chief with the BFD, he did much to modernize training and safety for firefighters, raising funds for a new training center, as well as more efficient lifesaving equipment for the stations. He was a member of the Maine State Fire Chiefs Association, Penobscot Fire Chiefs Association and a member of the BFD Relief Association.
In 1990 he was hired by the town of Orono as Chief of the Orono Fire Department, where he served an additional eight years. He orchestrated the merging of the University fire and the town of Orono.
In addition, he served a brief period as Chief for the Old Town fire Department before a short illness forced him to hang up his helmet.
Being a firefighter is a brotherhood and this became very apparent during Bob’s final months.
In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his siblings, Frances Brown, Leo Burke, Raymond Burke; daughter, Sharon Ann Burke; sisters-in-law, Nancy Noyes, Linda Shaw; brothers-in-law, John Brown and Ernie Picciotti. He is survived by the love of his life, wife of 43 years, Carolyn (Shaw) Burke, daughters, Cathy Burke Bevis (Tom), Pamela Burke (Kelly) and Dawn Burke Beswick (Jeff); eight grandchildren, Amber, Heather, Dylan, Dakota, Cameron, Gabriel, Cavan and Ronan; three great- grandchildren, Nolan, Everett, Braylee, and a fourth on the way; siblings, Irene McLellan (Bill), Barbara Viola (Jim), Joan Miller and Carol Picciotti; sisters-in-law, Lynn Burke, Louise Hynes and Maxine Owens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a great friend and mentor to many.
The family would like to thank the St. Joseph Home Care and Hospice staff for their special care and dedication for Bob over the last few months. The family also wants to acknowledge the love and support the Chief received from the Bangor Fire Department and his fellow firefighters, past and present, with special thanks to Frank Dinsmore (wife Janie), brothers, Buddy and Darrell Webb, and Jack Perry.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m., Tuesday February 19, 2019, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York Street, Bangor. All are welcome to share conversation and refreshments in the Parish Hall immediately following the Mass, Wednesday. Private interment will be in Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Ohio Street, Bangor. Those wishing to remember Bob in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Hose #5 Fire Museum, PO Box 25, Bangor ME, 04402. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Burke, please visit our flower store.
Bob lived his entire life in Bangor, the second youngest of eight children. He was a devout Catholic, attending both St. Mary’s and St. John’s churches, his lifelong faith carried him through life’s joys and sorrows.
Growing up he attended St. John Elementary and John Bapst High School. He loved fishing trips with his buddies and was an avid sports fan. He loved baseball and football, in his younger days was a baseball player, even winning a championship game as a little leaguer. Bob loved his Red Sox and the Patriots, this was a good year!
After high school Bob joined the National Guard for six years as a sharp shooter, but it was in 1957 with the encouragement of his big brother Leo, Bob joined The Bangor Fire Department as a private. Over the next 33 years he worked his way through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief the last eight years of his career before he retired from the BFD in 1990. During his tenure as Chief with the BFD, he did much to modernize training and safety for firefighters, raising funds for a new training center, as well as more efficient lifesaving equipment for the stations. He was a member of the Maine State Fire Chiefs Association, Penobscot Fire Chiefs Association and a member of the BFD Relief Association.
In 1990 he was hired by the town of Orono as Chief of the Orono Fire Department, where he served an additional eight years. He orchestrated the merging of the University fire and the town of Orono.
In addition, he served a brief period as Chief for the Old Town fire Department before a short illness forced him to hang up his helmet.
Being a firefighter is a brotherhood and this became very apparent during Bob’s final months.
In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his siblings, Frances Brown, Leo Burke, Raymond Burke; daughter, Sharon Ann Burke; sisters-in-law, Nancy Noyes, Linda Shaw; brothers-in-law, John Brown and Ernie Picciotti. He is survived by the love of his life, wife of 43 years, Carolyn (Shaw) Burke, daughters, Cathy Burke Bevis (Tom), Pamela Burke (Kelly) and Dawn Burke Beswick (Jeff); eight grandchildren, Amber, Heather, Dylan, Dakota, Cameron, Gabriel, Cavan and Ronan; three great- grandchildren, Nolan, Everett, Braylee, and a fourth on the way; siblings, Irene McLellan (Bill), Barbara Viola (Jim), Joan Miller and Carol Picciotti; sisters-in-law, Lynn Burke, Louise Hynes and Maxine Owens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a great friend and mentor to many.
The family would like to thank the St. Joseph Home Care and Hospice staff for their special care and dedication for Bob over the last few months. The family also wants to acknowledge the love and support the Chief received from the Bangor Fire Department and his fellow firefighters, past and present, with special thanks to Frank Dinsmore (wife Janie), brothers, Buddy and Darrell Webb, and Jack Perry.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m., Tuesday February 19, 2019, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York Street, Bangor. All are welcome to share conversation and refreshments in the Parish Hall immediately following the Mass, Wednesday. Private interment will be in Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Ohio Street, Bangor. Those wishing to remember Bob in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Hose #5 Fire Museum, PO Box 25, Bangor ME, 04402. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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