Tom Burke

Obituary photo

Thomas Patrick Burke
05 May 1948 - 19 Dec 2018

Clubs & Associations

Times Squares

Obituary

Thomas Patrick Burke, aged 70, of Bear, Delaware, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at Foulk Manor South in Wilmington, DE.

Tom was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Quigley High School in 1966, attended seminary at St. Mary of the Lake, attained a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Tom was a pioneer in the development of computer database marketing and had a lengthy and successful career with Technical Publishing, Cahners Publishing, and Conde Nast Publishing with multiple Vice President positions related to database marketing. Tom was also an adjunct professor in the New York University Center for Data Science.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman and recreational athlete who spent many hours playing and coaching soccer in Chicago. When he started bicycling with the Wheeling Wheelmen, he met his wife Joan and they married soon after. A job offer too good to refuse took them to New Hampshire; then Manhattan, and finally Delaware. Among Tom’s continued, varied interests and hobbies were bicycling with the Wheeling Wheelmen, square dancing with the Times Squares and 2x4s, Jazzercise at the Newark Senior Center, and hiking with the Wilmington Trail Club.

Left to remember Tom are Joan, his loving wife of 22 years; his 3 children: Keith Burke, Peter Burke, and Kristin Burke; his mother Ruth Burke; his 2 brothers: James Burke and John Burke (Erin); his grandson Joseph Burke; and several nephews and a niece. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Burke.

A visitation will be held at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home on Friday, December 28, from 9:30-11 AM, followed by a service and celebration of Tom's life starting at 11 AM. Another service will be held in Chicago on February 2, 2019. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (Parkinson.org)

Memorial Panel

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Photos

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  Quigley Preparatory Seminary South (Chicago, IL) yearbook portrait, 1966

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  Obituary photo

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