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PORTLAND-John Gregory Burke, age 87, of South Portland, died Monday May 14, 2007 at Maine Medical Center.
He
was born in Portland on December 1, 1919 a son of John Henry and Margaret Veronica Houston Burke. John was a 1937 graduate
of Cheverus High School. He attended Portland School of Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design, Art Student's League,
and the Ozenfant School of Fine Arts in New York City.
During World War II, John served as a First Lieutenant in the
Army.
On November 19, 1948 he married the former Mary Maxine Lemon at St.
Vincent Ferrer Church in New York City.
John worked as an architectural draftsman in Portland and the Capital District area of New York while he and Maxine raised
their seven children. Maxine died tragically in a car accident in 1977. John returned to South Portland for his retirement
where he was able to enjoy his passion for painting, as well as his quest for peace in his association with Pax Christi Maine.
His body of work, which can be viewed at his website, burkeart.net included peace and religious banners which reflected his
deep spirituality.
John was predeceased by his wife, a brother William Burke and two grandsons, Mark Pallotolo and
Michael Burke.
Survivors include five daughters, Thomasine Burke and her husband Rufus Brown of Portland, Margaret
Spring of Niskayuna, New York, Catherine Griffin and her husband Mitchell of Glenmont, NY, Elizabeth Pallotolo of Niskayuna,
NY, Patricia Norrell and her husband James of Niceville, FL; two sons, Christopher Burke and his wife Kathleen of Troy, NY,
Stephen Burke and his wife Barbara of Lacey, Washington; 19 grandchildren and his beloved Anne Marie Bourassa of Westbrook.
Visiting hours will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland.
Prayers will be recited 9:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral
of the Immaculate Conception. A private Burial will be held at a later date in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna, NY.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Pax Christi Maine, c/o Elaine McGillicuddy, 62 Avalon Rd., Portland,
ME 04103 or Unity House, 33 2nd St., Troy, New York, 12180.
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