Howard B. Burke Jr. ... formerly of Massachusetts

DOVER - Howard B. Burke Jr. died July 13, 2021 at 90 years of age. He was the son of Howard and Margaret Burke of Sandwich, Mass., and was born on August 27 of 1930 in Bourne, Mass. He was a proud graduate of the Mass Maritime Academy, class of 1952. After graduating he worked for the Merchant Marines and then enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. Following his service in the Navy, he worked at GE in Lynn and then for AVCO in Wilmington, Mass., in the space and missile systems.

He played in both the bowling and golfing leagues for AVCO. In the early 1970's he established Transportation Automation, a company dedicated to automated transportation. This was his lifetime passion. After retirement, he and his wife Joan moved to Wareham, Mass., where he worked in the family cranberry business as well as volunteered in the community. Most notable of which was his role in helping with the restoration of the Spinney Memorial Library. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Wareham and also sang in the choir. Music was an important part of his life...he was frequently whistling, singing or tapping to a tune.

He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, the late Joan (Beaton) Burke. He is survived by his son Peter and his wife Maureen, his daughter Susan and husband Paul and his daughter Kelly and her husband Michael, as well as 8 grandchildren, Michael and his wife Christen, Ryan and his wife Jessica, Jacqueline, Alexandra, Madeline, Veronica, Eleanor and Johanna. Also two great grandchildren, Vivian and Kaitlyn.