Richard J. Burke, 85, of West Boylston passed away Monday, December 11 in Saint Vincent Hospital.

He leaves his wife of 56 years, Ileien M. (Croteau) Burke; a son, Jeffrey and his wife, Patricia Burke of Stafford, VA; a daughter, Linda Lonergan of Falmouth; two grandchildren, Hannah and Noah Lonergan; a brother, Arnold Burke of Michigan; a sister, Ellen Daley of Connecticut and nieces and nephews. Three siblings, Marilyn Trecartin, Robert Burke and Barbara Carpenter predeceased him. He was born in Lynn, son of Dennis and Gladys (Rankin) Burke and graduated from Lynn Classical High School and received his master’s degree in education from Fitchburg State College. Richard was a Navy Veteran of the Korean War, following his discharge he enlisted in US Army and was honorable discharged in 1962.

Richard was a school teacher for 20 years at Newton High School. At the conclusion of that career he worked for several years at Automated Assemblies in Clinton. In his retirement Richard enjoyed working part-time at S & S Deli. Richard was a member and past Commander of the Harold N. Keith American Legion Post. His true interest was traveling the world with his wife from Australia to Europe and the Panama Canal and everywhere in between.

Visiting Hours are Thursday, December 14 from 9:30 to 10:30AM in Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston Street followed by a Mass at 11:00AM in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Inc. 69 Grove Street, Worcester, 01605.