Gerald Paul "Jere" Burke's Obituary
Gerald P. "Jere" Burke, 75, of Akron passed away on January 14 at Wyant Woods Care Center. Calling hours will be held at the Sharer Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home in Alliance on Sunday, January 18th from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM with a rosary following at 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Father Don Feicht at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alliance at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 19th with burial to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Born in Youngstown, Mr. Burke lived the majority of his adult life in Alliance. He graduated from Youngstown State University before beginning his teaching career at Central Catholic High School in Canton. He then taught at Marlington High School from 1959 until his retirement in 1986. In his final years of service he was the head librarian. Mr. Burke was very active with his church and in the community. As a dedicated member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alliance, he served on parish council, volunteered as a lector and Eucharistic Minister and was an altar server and prayer leader. He and his wife Mary Ann served as Marriage Preparation Mentors for 20 years. He served as a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and participated on their bowling team. He was also a member of the Alliance Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Burke and his wife Mary Ann were recently awarded the Ben S. Favazzo Sr. and Patrick H. Jeswold Founder s Award for their outstanding dedication and service to the Carnation City Festival and to the community of Alliance, Ohio. Mr. Burke and his wife were members of St. Hilary parish in Akron for the past 2 years. His hobbies included reading, bowling, coaching speech/debate, sports, and watching the activities of his grandchildren. Mr. Burke was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph P. and Ruth Scott Burke, and a brother, Peter. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Sharshan Burke; his daughter, Susan Marie Burke of Dublin; and his sons, Gregory Scott (Susu) of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Richard William (Tracy) of Akron, and Gerald Michael (Jill) of Hudson. Mr. Burke also leaves eight grandchildren - Catherine Jean Burke of Natchitoches; Joseph, Nicholas, Abigail, and Nathaniel Gerald Burke of Akron; and Kelly, Maria, and Anthony Santa-Emma of Dublin. He also is survived by a brother, William (Gloria) Burke of Boardman, sister-in-law Betsy Mitchell of Austintown, and cousin Mary York (Ed) of Canfield. Mr. Burke will always be remembered as a loving and caring husband and father who worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide the best for his family, as a dedicated teacher who strived daily to make a difference in the lives of his students, and as a selfless gentleman who had a keen sense of humor, enjoyed helping others, and lived his Catholic faith every day of his life. The family extends its gratitude to the caring doctors and staff in the Alzheimer's Disease units at Pine Valley Care Center and Wyant Woods and the caring staff at Harbor Lights Hospice and Senior Independence Center in Akron.
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