Raymond Alfred Burke

Raymond Alfred Burke - age 96. With sad and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Raymond in Grand View Manor, Berwick, formally of River Bourgeois on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Raymond, born August 11, 1921, was the son of the late Joseph P. and Clara (Landry) Burke. Dad, in his younger days, spent time as a merchant mariner on various vessels settling down in Grand Narrows in 1950 until his retirement in 1982. During the war, he was conscripted and spent time training in Aldershot and military service in New Brunswick, before being shipped overseas to Holland, where he was wounded. He made many friends throughout his life and was a kind, loving, compassionate person, who adored children. He was a generous man, spending time caring for others - sending them to Mildred for a meal or driving them as needed. He enjoyed visiting family and friends. He was adept at repairing almost anything and his skill was called upon often. His passion was on the water and spent hours fishing lobster, cod, and mackerel, with his own children, and then his grandchildren. After retirement, Mom and Dad returned to River Bourgeois for 31 years. He later moved to the valley for health reasons and spent his last years in Grand View Manor with mom. Survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mildred; sons, Gerard (Ann) and Vernon (Susan), both of Coldbrook; Terry (Cheryl), Limoges, ON; daughters, Elena Sponagle (Dana), Lake Echo; Karen Gillis (Ken), Halifax; Leona MacKay (Blake), New Glasgow, PE; 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Margaret Smith, Irene McLaughlin and Mary Burke, all of Halifax; Theresa Landry, River Bourgeois; Emily Harding, Ottawa; brothers, Ernest and Roderick, St. Peters; John, River Bourgeois; Richard, Petawawa, ON. Predeceased by infant son, Leo; brothers, Vitus, Alex, Anthony, Freddie, Eddie; sister, Anna Sampson. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, January 21, 2018 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, with a Royal Canadian Legion service to be held at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, January 22, 2018 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The Funeral Mass, followed by a reception, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 22, 2018 in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Kentville, Father John MacPherson officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in River Bourgeois. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory may be made to Grand View Manor, St. John the Baptist Cemetery, River Bourgeois or the Alzheimer Society. The family would like to thank the staff of Grand View Manor for their compassionate care. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.