Joseph John Burke Sr., 84, of Columbia

On Aug. 8, 2015, Joseph John Burke Sr. of Columbia; beloved husband of 17 years to Theresa Burke; loving father of Joseph John Burke Jr. and his wife Barbara, Maura Eileen Burke, and David Martin Burke; stepfather of Andrew John Higgins and his wife Cynthia, Col. David Allen Higgins Sr., USMC and his wife Pherby, Stanley Aaron Higgins and his wife Elizabeth, and Anthony Sherwood Higgins and his wife Joanne; dear brother of Martin Burke, Mary Connolly, and Cecelia McCabe; cherished grandfather of Joseph John Burke III, Thomas Patrick Burke and Sean Michael Burke; step-grandfather of USAFA 1st Class Cadet David Allen Higgins Jr., Kenneth Graham Higgins, Ryan Aaron Higgins, Ian Thomas Higgins, Nathan Sherwood Higgins, Makenzie Sang Higgins, Emma ZiYuan Higgins and Elyse Ann YuWei Higgins. He was predeceased by his first wife of 36 years, Maureen Gordon Burke; by his brother, Thomas Burke; and by his sister Ann Harper.

Joe was born in Pittsburgh to Irish parents. He grew up in a large family and attended Catholic schools. Shortly after graduation from Central Catholic High School, he joined the Ice Capades Ice Show and traveled throughout the country. In 1952 he entered the Army and served in combat in Korea with the 25th Infantry Division, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon completion of his service, he attended and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. He loved telling jokes and spending time with family and friends. He delighted in watching his grandchildren play sports and in his later life he was their frequent golf and bowling partner. He was proud of his Irish heritage and participated as member of the Emerald Isle Club and was huge fan of Irish music and dance.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia, MD 21045 on Friday, Aug. 14, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045.

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