John Burke

John T. Burke, 86, passed away December 1, 2019 in Boise. John was born in the city of San Francisco in 1933, to George and Winifred Burke. His father was a police officer and his mother was from Ireland. He grew up in the city attending school at St Vincent De Paul, St Ignatius, and the University of San Francisco. He was known as Rusty to his classmates and cousins due to his hair color and fair complexion. John walked the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening in 1937. In 1961, John married Elizabeth Coombe to whom he was married for nearly 30 years. John worked for many defense and technology companies in the Bay Area including Dalmo-Victor, Singer, and Hewlett-Packard. In 1978, Hewlett-Packard relocated the family to Boise. John spent ten years in Boise before work took him back to California. While living in Southern California, John became a fan of the Dodgers, UCLA basketball, and anyone playing USC. After a few years, John moved back to Boise and went to work for the Postal Service until he retired. John was a voracious reader and his house looked like a library. If you would like to check-out a book or a movie, we will not charge late fees for any books not returned. John was a formidable adversary challenged by many to games of Trivial Pursuit. John would easily win, filling the pie in his first turn. He was also a self-righteous driver, lecturing all from the confines of his car. John collected rifles from the first and second world wars. His love for old rifles was only surpassed by his love of butter, popcorn, and ice cream. The question had to be asked, “would you like any bread with that butter?” He enjoyed watching WWII movies with anyone who stopped by. John was the proud owner of many Irish Wolfhounds including Brigid, Rory, Bessie, and Kira. These gentle giant dogs were treated well, better than most, and John especially liked getting them out in public for everyone to admire. John was always a willing participant in his family activities up to his final days, including amusement parks, zoos, symphonies, county fairs, sporting events, Shakespeare plays, movies, holiday gatherings, and countless Knights of Columbus breakfasts. John is a true Irishman from his red hair and fair complexion to his love for Irish Whiskey. He will now be seated with St. Patrick and his family will toast him year to year. John is survived by his three children, Mike (Sharon), Mary Kay, and Patricia, and his three grandchildren, Erin, Matthew, and Kelsey, all of whom had to learn to make Irish Soda Bread and Irish Coffee. A vigil for John will be held Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Summer’s Funeral Home, 1205 W Bannock St. from 5 pm to 7 pm. His funeral mass begins at 11:00 am on Friday, December 20, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 811 S Latah St, Boise. John will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.