John E. Burke

John E. Burke, 80, resident of Rochester, NH, died on October 31, 2015 at Riverside Rest Home, Dover, NH surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Wilton, NH on January 16, 1935, a son of Edward and Catherine (Faustine) Burke. He resided in Rochester for several years and formerly made his home in Lawrenceville, GA for 10 years and Milford for 44 years. While living in New Hampshire, John had been employed as a production manager for Ingersoll-Rand for 34 years and after relocating to Georgia, he went to work for Sunds Defibrator. He was active in his community having served on the Milford Board of Selectmen from 1989-1990 and as a MCAA Little League Baseball and Biddy League Basketball Coach. In addition, he also coached Legion Baseball. John was a communicant of Holy Rosary Church in Rochester and St. Patrick’s Church in Milford. He was a longtime member of Milford Council Knights of Columbus #3035, 3rd and 4th degree. He was a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather whose greatest joy came from spending time with his family. Family members include his wife of 59 years, Lena C. (Saraceno) Burke of Rochester, NH; a son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Laurie Burke of Farmington, NH; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Dean Larpenter of Sunapee, NH, Sharon and Michael Wells of Greenfield, NH; six grandchildren, Shawn, Stephanie and Faith Larpenter, Tyler Lebs, Whitney Dore and James Burke; three great grandchildren, Arlo Burke, Levi Burke and Addison Dore; a sister, Terese Mullally of Marlborough, NH; a niece, Susan Bobbin and a nephew, Michael Mullally. There are no calling hours. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, November 5th at 10:00 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, New Hampshire Chapter, P.O. Box 838, Manchester, NH 03101 or online at nhapda@apdaparkinson.org