John (Jack) F. Burke Jr.

John F. (Jack) Burke Jr., age 79, of 45th Street, Plum Island, Newbury, passed away on Monday, May 23, 2016. He was the husband of Joan M. (Crampsey) Burke. Born on April 30, 1937, he was the son of the late John F. and Mildred (Raynor) Burke. Jack faithfully served his country as a United States Marine. He was employed for 45 years in the maintenance department at Bostik in Middleton, retiring in 1993. John was an accomplished horseman, an avid fisherman who hand painted his own fishing lures. He was an amateur painter and also had a “green thumb”; being able to grow flowers and vegetables even on Plum Island. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, John F. Burke III and his wife Annalisa S. and their children, Dakota J. and Kendall R. Burke of Kingston, NH and John's daughter, Melinda J. Burke of Newbury, a daughter, Jill M. Burke-Thistlewood and her husband Paul A. Thistlewood of Byfield, two sisters, Dorothy Torrey and Alice Breuer, long time best friend, Craig Magner and several nieces and nephews. He was the grandfather of the late John Michael Delehanty and brother of the late Margaret Nagy. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 3rd at 11:00 a.m., at the First Congregational Church, 175 Main Street, Rowley. Burial will take place in Main Street Cemetery. Calling hours Thursday, June 2nd from 4-8 p.m., in the F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home, 14 Independent Street, Rowley. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the First Congregational Church of Rowley, UCC, 175 Main Street, Rowley, MA 01969, in Jack's memory would be appreciated.