Joseph Burke - Obituary

oe (Joey to his siblings and old friends) was the fifth of seven children born to Joseph and Marie Burke. He was raised in a family devoted to one another and their Catholic faith. He attended St. Camillus Catholic elementary school where he excelled in all sports – football, basketball, and baseball. He followed his brothers to Our Lady of Good Counsel High school where he continued with his love of sports, playing varsity football and basketball. He moved on to the University of Maryland where he obtained a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he jumped into the family business and got experience in all aspects of running a business including administration, retail, marketing, personnel and property management. This experience led him to narrow his focus on real estate, where he worked for over 25 years. Towards the end of his career, he specialized in commercial real estate and for the last 15 years was at the U.S. State Department as a Realty Specialist where he recently received the Meritorious Honor Award. By far, his greatest love was his family. His life took a drastic and fantastic turn in 1987 when he married his beautiful wife and partner of 29 years, Patty. A few years later came the joys of his life, with the birth of his precious daughters Chrissy and Kelly. His life with them was built on a foundation of great love and laughter and filled with many happy memories. He was very close with his parents and siblings and spent as much time as possible together at family outings, sports events, building tree forts and helping with renovations. Joe came out of the womb running and smiling and gifted with incredible coordination, even at an early age. Whatever game he attempted, he could do well; much to the frustration of his siblings and peers. Football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, horseshoes, golf, bocce, cornhole; you name it, he could play it, and play it well. After high school, he took his love of the game to the coaching arena and, with his close buddies as co-coaches, led the St. Camillus football team to several state and regional championships. When he left this coaching position he had amassed an impressive record of 71-1-0. He went on to coach his daughter's teams in basketball, softball, soccer, and powder puff football. He was also an amazing fisherman and could probably have made a great living as a pro, had he pursued it. There are too many anecdotes to print of his prowess with the fishing rod, but he truly was poetry in motion. You might have your line in the water for hours with nothing to show for it, and he would come up with a dozen!!! And yet through it all, he was also humble. He never bragged about his skills or threw them in your face. (At least in public) He was a gracious winner and always complimented you on your efforts. And when he wasn’t winning the games, he was winning the gals with his fabulous dance skills. Oh, how he loved to dance! Needless to say, he was a huge sports fan. He was a local boy with a loyalty to the local teams whether it be the Redskins, Terps, Nationals, Orioles or Capitals. There was nothing Joe loved better than watching a game with good friends and family while delivering up something tasty off the grill. Did we mention that he was a master chef? He loved to cook food almost as much as he loved to eat it. And he was good at it. There was an ongoing family battle as to whose Thanksgiving stuffing was better. (We know who won that one!) He loved to gather with others and was almost always the last one to leave. Most importantly, however, was Joe’s amazing spirit and personality. As his nephew, Sean said, “It was transcendent.” If you ask anyone who knew him, the consensus was he was one of the nicest, happiest, most generous, fun people to be around. He could charm the shoes off a horse and he was always the life of the party. He never entered a room without a big smile, kiss, and a hug and was always ready with a joke or funny anecdote. He was a loyal father, husband, brother, and friend and would always be there if you needed him. Joe was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Joseph P. Burke, his mother, Marie O’D. Burke, his infant brother Timothy, and his nephew Christopher Burke. He is survived by his wife Patty and daughters Chrissy and Kelly; his four brothers, Mike, Pat, Paul and Matt; his two sisters Betsy and Teace; and a wonderful, large (24 nieces and nephews and 5 great nieces and nephews) extended family and many beloved in-laws. Friends are invited to celebrate Joey's life on Monday, July 25 from 6 to 8pm at Mother Seton Catholic Church, 19951 Father Hurley Blvd., Germantown, MD where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, July 26 at 11:30am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Special Olympics, District of Columbia, or the American Heart Association. Condolences or tributes may be made by visiting the link on the left side of this page.