John J. "Jack" Burke Jr.

John J. "Jack" Burke Jr., 87, of Camillus, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Iroquois Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family. A lifetime resident of Syracuse, he grew up in Tipp Hill and attended St. Patrick's and graduated from Central Tech High School. He served in the National Guard. John was employed for 36 years with the City of Syracuse Police Department, where he worked in the CID Unit as a detective sergeant before retiring in 1985. He was assigned to the JFK Detail as an honor guard when the president was in Syracuse. John also worked part time as a gate agent for Eastern Airlines. An avid football fan, he loved SU and Notre Dame and attended several of their games and two NFL Super Bowls. John was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church and enjoyed traveling and visiting family in Ireland, hunting and spending time with his family. John was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, the former Geraldine Williams; sisters, Mary Kiggins, Irene Murphy, Margaret Burke, Helen Riker and Kathleen Tretiak; and brother, William Burke. Surviving are his daughters, Mary (Thomas) Otis of Camillus, Patricia Burke of Fairmount and Barbara (Patrick) Bright of Onondaga Hill; sons, John (Jeri) Burke III of Warners and Thomas (Susan) Burke of Camillus; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, August 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 5600 W. Genesee St., Camillus. A funeral Mass will follow at 1 p.m. in the church. John will be laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 6390 Fly Rd., 2nd Floor, E. Syracuse, NY 13057.