E. Paul Burke

Paul Burke 96, passed away peacefully at Avita Memory Care on September 20, 2024. He was born on November 26, 1927 in Amesbury, MA to the late William and Josephine (Carroll) Burke. He moved to East Cambridge at a young age and attended the Thorndike School.

Paul joined the Navy in WWII and was medically discharged with pneumonia after serving one and half years. He was drafted by the Army into the Korean War and served as Company Clerk in the Panama Canal Zone. In the 7 years between his service assignments, he worked several jobs, including making wooden barrels, and in logging camps in Downeast Maine. In 1950 he moved to Newburyport and worked at the Coca Cola Bottling Co. on Merrimack St. as a Delivery Driver. He met his wife Doris Bateman and they were married in 1958. Paul took over his father-in-laws business the Corner Cupboard Package Store in Newbury until he retired and moved to Florida winters and up to the camp in Maine summers.

He enjoyed golfing with friends and belonged to the Olde Newbury Golf Club. That wasn’t enough for him, so he went to work at Anna Jaques Hospital in maintenance, retiring from that position and volunteering in transport. He was most proud of his volunteer service where he made many friends on the staff and was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2023. Playing cards with friends and listening to music were his favorite hobbies, and whenever you saw him he would be whistling old tunes.

Paul will be greatly missed by his daughter, Pam Burke and her husband Allan Miller of East Boothbay, ME; brothers, Jack Burke and his wife Nan of Wilmington, Joe Burke and his wife Carol of Somerville; sister-in-law and dear friend, Jean Reardon; special friend, Polly Hanson; as well as several nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 55 years; siblings, Billy Jr., Charlie, Helen, and Carroll.

Pam is truly grateful to the wonderful caregivers at Avita, who have helped through these difficult months and the caring nurses from Compassus Hospice. All their work is so very meaningful.

Paul donated his body /to Harvard Medical School. With a grin on his face, he would always say “I always wanted to go to Harvard.”. There will be no formal Services at his request. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mr. Burke’s family with his arrangements.

Donations may be made in Paul’s name to the Anna Jaques Volunteer Department.

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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