Obituary of Ray Edward BURKE

May 22, 1931 – Calgary, Alberta
September 1, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta    

Ray Edward Burke, age 89, passed away peacefully at his Calgary home September 1, 2020.  Ray made friends wherever he went and will be greatly missed by both family and friends.   

Family was very important to Ray and Eileen who taught us all the value of family events as a way to connect, share and celebrate our lives.  Ray spent years researching the Burke genealogy, creating and publishing the Burke Family History which further encouraged our appreciation of family.    

Ray’s children, Lyle and Debbie Burke, Tracey and Dale Walls and Shelley and Darren Page will miss Dad greatly. Happy hour in Maui will not be the same without Grandpa and his Mai Tai’s.  Ray’s grandchildren, Morgan, Lisa and Mack Burke, Mitchell and Spencer Walls, and Koleton and Jordyn Page will miss Grandpa dearly.  They have all inherited his great strength of character, his humour, and friendly, caring personality.  Ray is also survived by the families of his three siblings Roy and Mary Burke, Bea Burke, Carl and Claudia Burke and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  Ray was preceded in death by his wife Eileen, as well as his parents Clarence and Onnolee Burke.

Ray requested a simple wake for family and friends with no formal funeral services.  Given the current restrictions on events of this nature our family will arrange this when social distancing allows. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ray’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

In living memory of Ray Burke, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.