Sydney
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Allan Burke on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 peacefully at home in Sydney.
Born on April 30, 1958 in Sydney, Allan was the son of Helen (MacKillop) and the late Clarence Burke.
A big part of Allan’s life was working with 587 Whitney Pier Air Cadets as a CIC Officer respectfully holding the Commanding Officer position for many years. Allan’s passion; working with the cadets was most rewarding watching each cadet grow as a confident adult and moving on to other things. His motto for the squadron was “Family of Leaders”.
Allan was a member and past president of branch 128 Whitney Pier Legion. In his early years Allan was a burner mechanic by trade, later worked as a bartender at branch 128 Whitney Pier Legion.
Allan had many other passions including driving to Baddeck, online gaming, pets and watching funny TV shows with his family. Allan’s sense of humour; and good nature will be deeply missed by all.
Allan is survived by his loving wife, Bernadette (Dearing) Burke; children, Natasha (Chris), Alicia (Peter), and Daniel (Dave); granddaughter, Brooklynn; brother, Dougie (Wendy); sister, Kathy (Danny); as well as nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law.
Besides his father, Allan was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Rita Dearing; brothers and sister-in-law, Harry, Albert and Corenia Dearing.
The Burke family would like to thank the VON along with the Renal Dialysis unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for all the care and the support they have provided for Allan over the years.
Visitation for the late Allan Burke will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street), Whitney Pier. Memorial service to celebrate his life will be on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 in the All Faith Chapel at 11 a.m. with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Following the service, a luncheon will be held in the funeral home reception area.
Donations in memory of Allan Burke may be made to the Renal Clinic at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital or Charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
so sorry to hear of Allens passing , my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Rip Allen
From: Pat Chase
So so sorry to hear of Allen’s passing. He will leave a huge void in the cadet world. Have many fond memories working with Allen he will be truly missed
From: Maralyn (Grabher)Ralph
Love and Prayers to all family and friends may the Light and Love of the Lord be with you all
From: Arlene Usher
My sincere condolences goes out to Al’s family. This man taught me so much in 587 Air Cadets. He was one of our leaders that helped mould us into fine young men and women. He will be missed by so many people.
From: Lynnette (Kokocki) Chiasson
Bernadette,Kathy and families. So sorry to hear of Al’s passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
From: Jackie (Cormier) Matthews, Angeline and Murdock Cormier.
So sorry for your loss.
From: Winston Harris
I have many fond memories of Al through my 587 years!! We were defiantly a close bunch of people! I respected Al and Bernadette and looked up to them… my prayers go out to Burke family!!! RIP Al.
From: Raylene Usher-Cormier
Natasha my sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and rest of the Burke family.
From: Marcia Pooley
Alan you will be missed greatly but never forgotten.
From: Rodena
My deepest sympathies to the family of Al. Bernadette, Alicia and Daniel – I feel very fortunate to have been able to meet Al and I have so many fond memories of you all. Please know that many prayers are being sent your way, and hope you can find some comfort in knowing that Al was a guiding light in my life as well as many others during our years spent at 587. Sincerely with all my love,
From: Willena Jardine
Dear Bernadette:
My deepest, heartfelt sympathies to you and your family on the passing of Allan. I was so glad we had a chat a few week ago. It was so nice to see you. You and Allan always stayed in my memory of as loving devote couple. You made a great team. Once again my sincere condolences. Allan was a fine man and I was honoured to have met him. Sincerely,
From: Lyn Roche
Bernadette & Family:
So very sorry for your loss.
Sincere Sympathy
Anne Marie & Donnie MacAskill
Bernadette & Family
So sorry for your loss,
Prayers and Condolences
May you Rest In Peace my friend. You were a true mentor and moulded so many of us during our time at 587 Whitney Pier Air Cadets. Our condolences to Bernie, Tasha, Alisha and Daniel and all his family. See ya on the other side.
So sorry for your loss My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family, May he RIP .
Bernadette and Family
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time.
I wish I had words to ease your pain, I am sorry – I don’t because quite honestly I can not fully imagine how you feel.
What I can say is Al, your husband and father, meant more than you can ever know to me and countless others during a time when GOOD mentors were vital. Al quite simply was a HUGE part of the Heart and Soul of 587 Whitney Pier Air Cadets. He set the standards for Work Ethic, Dress, Deportment and most importantly for many of us “Drill”, These standards served me exceptionally well in the Canadian Armed Forces and life in general.
I could try for days and it would still not be enough to do him justice.
Al – Rest Easy – your legacy lives on.
condolences to family
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers going to everyone. Hugs to all💔
so sorry bernadette and family for your loss my deepest sympathy to you and alicia and all your children
bernadette so sorry for your loss my deepest sympathy to you and family alicia so sorry hugs
So sorry for your loss. Daniel, your CBC family is sending you and your family our deepest sympathies.
Condolences to you Bernadette and all the family, i enjoyed the many years working with Al in 587, he took great interest in his cadets as well as his staff. He was indeed a mentor to us all.The many hours we spent together brought us closer together, so close, that i considered him more than my cousin, he was like a brother. He will be sadly missed by all my family, my wife Gayle, son John, and especially my daughter Veronica who he opened his house to when we required an extended stay in hospital in Halifax. That was just the kind of person he was.
Rest in Peace Sir
Lest we Forget
Bernadette & Family So sorry to read about Allan’s passing. Sending prayers and condolences.
Very sorry for your loss
Our condolences to you and your family
Bernadette and Family So sorry for your loss. Rest In Peace Al
Sending my deepest condolences to Bernadette , the Burke and Dearing families.
May Allen Rest In Peace
Deepest sympathies and condolences to your family and friends fly high now with your new wings and continue to watch over all who knew and love you threw this difficult time
Condolences to Allan’s family. He was a great person and will be missed. May your memories bring you comfort in the sad days ahead. Mary Phillips Branch 128
Bernadette, Alicia and all of the Burke family, I am so sorry for your loss. May your fond memories of Allan comfort you in the days to come. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Sending love to the family. Anita Burke
So very sorry for your loss. I often think of him and my days with 587.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Allan’s passing. He was such an influential person in so many lives growing up. Wishing you all peace and comfort.
Bernadette and the Burke and Dearing families,
So sorry to hear of Allan’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gwen and Greg
So very sorry to hear about Allan’s passing. My thoughts are with Bernadette and family.
Bernadette and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss sweetheart. I wish I were home to try and comfort you. Sending you my Love and Prayers.
My condolences to the Burke Family. Allan was such an influential person who left his mark on us all. It truly was an honor to have known him and serve under his command. He will be sadly missed. R.I.P. Major Joseph Allan Burke CD (Retired).
Allen and I were cadets together in 29 Squadron. He was an excellent Air Cadet who took drill and uniform standards extremely seriously but also had a huge sense of fun and mischief. He had a glossy pair of cadet boots that he refused to trade in for a new pair. He called them “the vets” as if they had gone through a war! I extend my condolences to Al’s family.
Richard Payne
Toronto
Helen (mother) and family, So sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Omg, so sorry to the burke family for your loss, allan was an extrodinary man, he was the co of my old cadet squadron, alot of great memories. Thank you Captain burke for the greatest years of my life with 587, rest in peace.