Bernard Joseph Burke, Jr.

Bernard Joseph Burke, Jr. “Bernie” died peacefully on Friday afternoon March 28, 2025.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 18, 1935, he was the son of Bernard Joseph Burke, Sr, famously known as “Husky” and Estelle Abrams. Bernie was preceded in death by his sister Joanne Ryan.

Bernie and his wife Ann were married more than 60 years before she died in October 2020. Together they raised their four children: Bernie, Mary (Bill Thierfelder), Michael (Mary) and Ann (John McAlinney). They were deeply devoted to their 26 grandchildren: Bernie, Bridget (Johnny O’Boyle), James (Paola), Max, Greg (Theresa), Patrick and Mary Kate (Bernie and Patrice’s children); Mary (Martin Aucoin), Joseph, Elizabeth (Josiah Bookwalter), John, James (Madeleine), Thomas (Grace), Luke, Ann, Peter and Matthew (Mary and Bill’s children); Rachel, Michael and Erin (Michael and Mary’s children); and Katie (Dave Finucane), MaryGrace, AnnMarie, Elizabeth, Jack and Mike (Ann and John’s children).

Bernie recently reached his 90th birthday and lived to see 12 of his great grandchildren: Nora, Collins, Monica and Felix (Mary and Martin’s children); Kolbe, Grace, Augustine and Barrett (Bridget and Johnny’s); Estelle and Mariana (Elizabeth and Josiah’s); Rosa (James and Paola’s) and Raphael (Greg and Theresa’s).

Attending LaSalle College High school in the early 1950’s, Bernie received a strong foundation for his life time commitment to secondary education, teaching high school English and Public Speaking at Harriton High School in Lower Merion Township, Philadelphia for over 30 years. Bernie also had a passion for high school athletics starting with his days as a fullback and linebacker at LaSalle. The oldest video recording in LaSalle College High School football history features Bernie’s interception and 43 yard return for a touchdown. (LaSalle College High School Football Great Plays: Volume 22, Play 9.) He received a football scholarship to the University of Dayton where he earned a BS in education while attending Dayton’s ROTC program. He was a First Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.

Bernie’s children and grandchildren fondly recall the vacations he planned at Prince Edward Island and The Outer Banks, his passion for athletics, art and antiques and the integration of his Irish Catholic and Jewish heritage in his robust personality. Mr. Burke instilled in his former students a love of reading and writing, a fearlessness in public speaking and an unwavering confidence in his students’ lifetime success.

In recent years, Bernie was blessed with the consolation of being loved by special friends Jody Baker, Joe and Nicki Murphy, his nurse Stephanie and all his care givers at Tel Hai. He is eternally grateful for his grandchildren, family, friends and acquaintances who offered prayers, patience, compassion, correspondence and conversation when he needed it most.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 10:30-11:30 AM Saturday, April 5, 2025 at St. Patrick Church, 104 Channing Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.