Donald E. Burke

Donald E. Burke, DDS. 85, of Broomfield, CO, formerly of Norwalk, CT died peacefully on January 22, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Ann Patricia ""Patty"" (Bliss) Burke for the past 56 years. Born on May 29th, 1929 and raised in Auburn, MA he was the son of the late Walter L. and Helena B. (Russell) Burke. He graduated from St. Johns High School in Worcester, MA in 1947 and Holy Cross College in 1951. He was a U.S Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1951 to 1955. In 1959 he graduated from Georgetown Dental School. He served an internship at St. Elizabeth's Hospital before beginning his 36 year family dentistry practice in Norwalk, CT. Don was an avid sports fan, participated in professional bass fishing and enjoyed golf. In addition to his loving wife Patty, he is survived by his 8 children, Deborah Shioshita of Boulder, CO, Timothy Burke of Capitola, CA, Jonathan Burke of Wilton, CT, Jennifer Garrity of Bethel, CT, Kathleen Harvey of Tigard, OR, Dr. Christopher Burke of Littleton, CO, Mary Hoermann of Wilton, CT, Megan McDonnell of Superior, CO, their spouses, 21 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Don ""Bud"" also leaves behind his loving sister, Patricia Harney of Falmouth, MA and his sister in-law Barbara Burke of Upton, MA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Richard F. Burke, Russell W. Burke and his son-in-law Dean M. Harvey. Services to celebrate Don's life will take place in both Colorado and his hometown of Auburn, Massachusetts. The memorial mass in Colorado is scheduled for February 7th at 12:00 pm at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, 9371 Wigham Street, Denver CO. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday February 13th at the North American Martyrs Catholic Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn MA. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester. A mass will be dedicated to Don at St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Rd. Norwalk, CT on Tuesday February 17, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. There will be a reception downstairs following the mass. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association or TRU Hospice (2594 Trailridge Drive E, Lafayette, CO 80026).