Obituary: John Edward Burke Jr.

John Edward Burke Jr., 56 
John Edward (“Jake”) Burke Jr., of Hull, died unexpectedly on Jan. 26 after a long courageous battle. He was 56. 
Jake was born on Aug. 9, 1963, in Boston to Jack and Shirley Burke. He grew up in Whiskey Point, Brookline. He attended Wentworth Institute, was a proud U.S Navy Seabee veteran, Desert Storm veteran, and a great tugboat captain. He loved his family, the military, and his country. 
Jake was selfless; his mission was always to help others. His faith carried him through his life. He had a passion for music, enjoyed dancing, was a history buff (especially WWII), and was a fan of football. He was a handy, capable, and reliable man. 
The beloved husband of 24 years to Michele (Mize) Burke, of Hull, he was the devoted father of John Burke, of Quincy, and Corey Burke, of Kentucky. He was the cherished grandfather of Charlotte. 
He is survived by his mother, Shirley (Scott) Burke, of Hull; and his sisters, Donna Burke and her companion, Bill Gallagher, of Norwood, Cheryl Cahoon and her husband, Glenn, of Norwood and Brenda Frost and her husband, Jack, of Maine. He was a loving brother-in-law to his “Towers of Power,” Michael Mize and his husband, Gerry Sears, of Florida, and he also leaves many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 
It was an honor and a privilege to know Jake.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday, from 2-6 p.m., in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main St. (Route 18, opposite the South Shore Hospital), South Weymouth. Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Monday prior to the funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Hull Village Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jake can be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. 
See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolences or call 781-335-0045