Obituary of BURKE – Philip

December 2, 1921 – May 19, 2010 Philip Patrick Burke, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the age of 88 years. Phil was born December 2, 1921 on the farm, near Acadia Valley, Alberta and lived there until he moved to Calgary to complete high school. Phil proudly served in the Canadian Army and later in the Navy. He went overseas as a signalman on the destroyer HMCS Gatineau and served on it until the end of the war. He married Gale Thygesen from Oyen, Alberta on October 14, 1949. He then began a lifelong career as a trainman for CP Rail. During his time at the CPR he rose in the union ranks from local Chairman to Vice-President Western Canada, United Transportation Union, in which he retired at age 65. He had a passion for farming that led him to purchase land near Calgary, where he spent his spare time raising crops and horses. He loved to read, and always enjoyed a thorough perusal of the daily newspaper. He had a great sense of humour, told many a good joke, and possessed a million dollar smile. Phil will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his beloved wife Gale Burke; daughter and son-in-law, Cara and Jerry Snider; son-in-law, Gus Johnson, son and daughter-in-law, Robin and Peggy Burke; and son and daughter-in-law, Phillip (Curt) and Robin Burke; and grandchildren, Brenn Snider, Gustin Johnson (Lisa Blas), Kristina Nutter (Russ Nutter), Erin Burke, Sean Burke, Colin Burke, Lorne Burke, Diana Burke, Randall Burke (Jen Samin), David Burke, and Adela Burke, and great-grandchild, Ashleigh Nutter. Phil was predeceased by his daughter, Donna Johnson in 2008 and his son, Patrick Kim Burke, in infancy. Prayers and tributes will be held at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (8944 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (8944 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Donations may be made in Phil’s memory to the Donna Johnson Memorial Fund in support of CLERC (Children’s Legal and Educational Resource Centre) with a check payable to CLERC (1010-14th Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2R 0P1). In living memory of Phil Burke a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.