John J. Burke

   John J. Burke, 70, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, at St. Peters University Hospital, New Brunswick.
   He was born in Orange, raised in West Orange, graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark, attended Seton Hall University, and has been a resident of Kendall Park for 46 years. Mr. Burke worked for 40 years with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring from the Monmouth Junction Post Office. He also was employed for five years at Genesis Elder Care of Cranbury. He was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Church of Kendall Park.
   Mr. Burke’s children and grandchildren meant the world to him. In his younger days he was a volunteer coach for many of their athletic teams and served as one of the founding fathers of the South Brunswick Athletic Association. Later on his grandchildren would come to know “Pop Pop” as their most loyal fan as he was a constant presence on the sidelines.
   His parents, Edward C. and Agnes M. Burke, and daughter, Julie Ann Burke, are deceased. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Peggy A. Gallagher Burke of Kendall Park, three daughters and thee sons-in-law, Lisa and Joe Jackson of Kendall Park, Mary Beth and Toby Schmidt of Dayton, and Allison and Eric Wittmann of West Trenton; two sons and two daughters-in-law, John and Patty Burke Jr. of Dayton and Edward and Teri Burke of Hamilton; 13 grandchildren, Erin, Meghan, Colleen and Brendan Jackson, Timothy, Bridget and Connor Schmidt, Alexa Wittmann, John III, Katie and Patrick Burke, Julie and Jack Burke.
   The Funeral was held Monday Dec. 3, at the M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, 616 Ridge Road at New Road, Monmouth Junction. Mass of a Christian Burial was celebrated that day at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, 45 Henderson Road, Kendall Park. Burial was at in Holy Cross Burial Park in South Brunswick.