HARRINGTON – Bradford C. Burke Sr., 58, passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, at his home in Harrington. He was born Dec. 8, 1946, in Presque Isle, the son of Arnold and Sylvia (Fickett) Burke. Brad was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. While serving two tours in Vietnam, he was involved with Paramilitary Search and Rescue. After the war, he continued serving the Air Force and retired in 1986 as a master flight instructor for the Thunderbirds, as well as attaining production flight line manager at the final three flight installations he served. Following his retirement, Brad was a school teacher for two years at the Harrington Elementary School, before working as vice president of the L.A. Gray Company in Hancock, now Viking Lumber, for several years. Brad left there in the mid-1990’s and owned and operated Cozy Corner Kitchen and Bath, in Columbia, and Acadia Kitchen and Bath and Flooring Gallery, in Ellsworth, until he stopped working due to his illness. Brad was an enthusiastic trout fisherman, and greatly enjoyed pursuing this endeavor. He was also an avid reader and a Civil War buff. Brad is a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. In addition to his father, Arnold Burke of Milbridge; he is survived by his wife, June L. (Choate) Burke of Harrington; a son, Bradford C. Burke Jr. and his wife, Julie, of Fort Mill, S.C.; a stepdaughter, Amanda Marden of Sedona, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Brandon, Seth, and Megan; three sisters, Andrea Perry of Milbridge, Terri Reed and her husband, Steven, of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and Rebecca Fenton and her husband, William, of Cherryfield; two aunts, Luella Fickett of Anaheim, Calif., and Norma Dow of Milbridge; four nieces, Holly Perry, Shannon Johnson, Rebecca Reed, and Samantha Reed; four nephews, Joel Perry, Barrett Hammond, Daniel Fenton, and Benjamin Fenton; six cousins, Wanda Hammond and her husband, David, Merle Fickett Jr., Judy Carlson and her husband, Craig, and Narda Martin and her husband, Paul, David Fickett and his wife, Gail, and Jill Barnes and her husband, Ron; and the mother of his son, Judith Burke; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Graveside funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Rock Maple Cemetery, Rock Maple Road, Milbridge, with full military honors. Gifts in memory of Brad may be sent to the American Cancer Society, One Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Arrangements are by Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Milbridge. A memorial register and directions is available online at Legacy.com. <
BRADFORD C. BURKE SR.
