William Burke
April 2, 1933 — January 17, 2014
William "Bill" James Burke
April 2, 1933 – January 17, 2014
Peacefully, with family by his side, Bill Burke of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba passed away at the Portage District General Hospital on Friday, January 17, 2014 at the age of 80 years.
Bill was born in 1933 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, son of the late Harry and Audrey Burke. In 1963, he married Jeanne Gagne of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba where they raised their two children.
Bill worked at the Manitoba Development Centre for 31 years in the laundry department. He enjoyed camping and the outdoors where he could be with his family and friends.
Predeceased by his parents Harry and Audrey Burke, brother-in-law Wayne McKeller, in-laws Ernest and Marie Gagne and sister-in-law Maureen Gagne, Bill leaves to mourn, his wife Jeanne of 50 years, his son Paul (Christine) Burke, daughter Valerie (Robert) Boudreau, 4 grandchildren Eddie, Jaryn, Beckie-Jo and Kerynda, 2 great grandchildren Jacob and Abbigail. He is also survived by his 5 siblings Betty (Mac) MacDonald, Dorothy Leckie, Margaret McKeller, Bev (Rene) Ladouceur and Bobby (Ann) Burke; in-laws Albert (Darlene) Gagne, Lucille (Ed) Duchnycz, Irene (Andy) Landry, Eugene (Anita) Gagne and Dianne Dubois; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Portage la Prairie, on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at 11:00 am.
As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba – Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 or to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8.
A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com