Obituary of Bob Burke

Bob Burke, beloved husband of Betty Burke of Calgary, passed away peacefully at the Peter Lougheed Hospital on June 21, 2005, at the age of 73 years. Bob was an especially gentle and loving man who lived his life by example, teaching all who had the privilege of knowing him that life was to be lived with integrity, compassion and particularly humour. Each and every day, he was the husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend that we all aspire to be. He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for forty-six years. Throughout these years of sobriety, Bob sponsored, counselled and touched countless souls. He always had a ready ear, words of encouragement and a genuine smile for those who needed him most. Bob, we will miss you terribly and everything that you brought so readily to our lives, but most of all we will miss your smiling blue eyes and wonderful contagious laugh. Bob will be lovingly remembered by Betty Burke (nee Dahrouge), his wife and soul mate of fifty years; his three children, their spouses and seven grandchildren: Paul (wife Lori and children Bryn and Simon), Karen (husband Rod and children Kaitlyn and Cody), and Kyle (wife Marcie and children Taylor, Emily and Jacob); siblings Jean Gilbertson, Stan Burke, Amy Leis, Fran Fraser, Bill Burke, and many nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his sister Mary and brother Lloyd and parents Frances and Guy Burke. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Monday, June 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church (835 Northmount Drive N.W.) on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre (Box 430, Cochrane, T4C 1A6) or to the Parkinson’s Society of Southern Alberta. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and doctors on Unit 41 at Peter Lougheed Hospital for their compassion during our difficult time.