Obituary of Gerard Conrad Burke

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gerard Conrad Burke, age 71 of The Points that occurred at his residence at the Richmond Villa, in St. Peter’s, with his loving wife Eileen by his side, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia. Born July 24, 1948, he was son of the late Mary Burke-Matthews, Grand Anse and the late Lou Burke, Gradenhurst, Ontario. Gerard was a former Superintendent of the Dundee Golf Resort for over 40 years. When construction was started to build on this golf course, Gerard cut the first tree down. He was always available to help or give advice to anyone in need of it. He loved Toronto Maple Leafs hockey, Toronto Blue Jays baseball, and fly fishing and truly enjoyed dancing. He was a member of the Fur Trappers Association, Labourer’s Union Local 1115, South Mountain Arm of Gold, St. George’s Channel Community Hall and he was also a licensed Mechanic and Heavy Machine Operator. Left to mourn his passing is his loving wife and soul mate Eileen of 19 years; stepdaughters Donalda Rooyakkers (Martin), West Bay Rd., Charlotte MacDonald , The Points; stepson Bradley MacDonald (Cindy), Dundee; his hero step granddaughter Katrina Rooyakkers, step grandson Dawson MacDonald; step great grandchildren Myles, Linus; sisters, Deborah (James) Phillips, Kempt Road, Audrey (Daniel) MacRae, Dundee, Sheila Matthews, Colleen Matthews all of Grand Anse, Clarissa Matthews (Bernard), River Bourgeois, Brenda (Dominic) Iaboni, Brampford, Ontario, Barb (Joseph) Pontes, UroMedonte, Ontario; brothers Vince Burke (Marian), Uxbridge, Ontario, Terry Matthews (Sharon), Timberley, Thomas Matthews, River Bourgeois, Hubert Matthews (Harriette) West Bay Center, Lawrence Matthews, Dougald Matthews, Martin Matthews (Paulette), all of Grand Anse; many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special neices, Jasmine, Bailey and Madison, and his friend card partner Francis King. Besides his father, Gerard was predeceased by his step father Thomas Matthews; step mother Vera Burke; sister Edna Matthews; brothers Bradley Burke, Jerome Burke and Donald Matthews; special friends, John MacRae and Ronnie MacKillop. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held in River Bourgeois Funeral Parlour in River Bourgeois on Friday, July 22nd, from 2-8pm. Funeral mass on Saturday, July 23rd in Black River United Church at 2:30pm. Memorial donations can be made to the MacKay Cemetery or to South Mountain Arm of Gold. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home Limited in Arichat. To send words of comfort to the family or to light a candle in memory of Gerard, please visit www.chboudreau.com