US Army Vietnam War Veteran
MELROSE — Robert John “Bob” Burke, a proud resident of Melrose, passed away on May 8 at the age of 74. Bob was born in Malden on February 20, 1949 to the late James and Ada Eleanor (Nordling) Burke. He was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School in 1967. Bob spent a year at UMass Amherst before leaving school to serve in the army during the Vietnam War. After his time in the army, Bob went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree. He’d later start his own property management company.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time in the wilderness of Maine. He enjoyed hunting and was an excellent marksman. He also loved to hike and camp, including in the wintertime. He once famously hiked and camped out on Mt. Carrigain in the middle of the winter. Bob loved spending time with his close-knit group of lifelong friends from Melrose. He was also incredibly proud and grateful for his two children.
Bob was the loving father of John Patrick “JP” Burke of Bowie, MD and Rebecca Joy Burke & her fiancé Nicholas Geotis of Medford. He was formerly married to Mary A. Burke of Portland, Maine. Brother of James Burke & his wife Nancy and Richard Burke & his wife Christine. Bob is also survived by many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. Bob’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Bedford VA Hospital for their loving and professional care.
Visiting hours were held on Thursday, May 11 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A Funeral Service was held at Gately Funeral Home immediately following the visiting hours at 7:00 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose, on Saturday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the Melrose Veterans’ Relief Fund, ATTN Veteran Office, 201 W. Foster St., Melrose, MA 02176. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit gatelyfh.com.