Frank Burke Obituary

Frank L. Burke III, "Burkey," 73, of Scranton passed away peacefully at home Friday, April 19. He and his loving wife, Mary Alice Boylan Burke, would have celebrated their 52nd anniversary in May.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Frank L. Jr. and Jane Murray Burke, a member of St. Ann's Parish and a graduate of Scranton Technical High School class of 1968.

Frank, as a young man, worked for both The Scranton Times and Engraving and the Scranton Housing Authority until being chosen as a firefighter, where he served the City of Scranton for over 25 years, 21 of those on Rescue 1, retiring as a lieutenant. Frank was a proud member the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 60. He also bartended back the road for his dear friends, Packy Diskin and Marty Judge. Deeply proud of his Irish heritage, he was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Irish Cultural Society, the A.O.H. O'Neil Brothers Minooka Chapter, the Minooka Notre Dame Club and an original member of the Minooka Dukes.

Frank was a humorous straight-talking friend whose life touched many and his memory will live forever. In addition to his wife, Mary Alice, Frank leaves behind his daughter, Shannon Burke, who he always called his dolly; sisters, Jane Burke and Ann Calpin; sister-in-law, Anne Boylan and husband, Dom Lanzo; brothers-in-law, Michael and Frank Boylan; several nieces, nephews and cousins; his many brothers and sisters of the Scranton Fire Department; and countless friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his son, Frank L. Burke IV, and infant son Seamus Patrick; his parents; and brothers-in-law, Jimmy Calpin, Jim Fox and Paul Boylan.

Friends may call Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Donahue Funeral Home, 303 S. Main Ave., Scranton (scrantonfuneralservices.com). A Mass of Christian Burial with full fire service honors will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Ann's Basilica, 1250 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Those attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the church. Interment will follow immediately after the Mass in Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Frank L. Burke IV Memorial Fund of the Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., #102, Scranton, PA 18510.