CHARLES L. BURKE MILBRIDGE – Charles “Charlie” Burke, 82, died peacefully surrounded by his family Sept. 24, 2005, at a Bangor hospital. He was born May 5, 1923, in Waltham, Mass., son of Charles Leo Burke and Louise (Leleviere) Burke. He served in the U.S. Army 723rd Material Squadron and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was very proud of serving his country in World War II. Decorations and citations he received were a good conduct medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal. He was a member of the Milbridge Veteran’s Club and was recognized last year at Narraguagus High School as a Honored Veteran in our Community. He worked 25 years in the public works department for the U.S. Naval Security Group Activity in Winter Harbor, before retiring in February 1985. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Iona (Burgess) Burke; one sister, Arlene Payne of Centerville, Mass.; four children, Sheila Rolfe and her husband, Frank, of Bath, Raymond Burke and his companion, Beth Seavey of Milbridge, Louise Burke and her companion, Clark Doody, of Damariscotta, Marie Smith and special friend, Gail Myshrall, of Cherryfield; 16 grandchildren, Frank Rolfe Jr. of Brunswick, Kenneth Rolfe and his wife, Zada, of Woolwich, Shawn Rolfe and his wife, Marge, of Brunswick, Jonathan Rolfe of Bath, Mark Burke and his wife, Linda, of Milbridge, Brett Burke of Addison, Christopher Burke and his wife, Julie, of Addison, Cathy Doughty and her husband, Chris, of Kenduskeag, Casey Burke of Milbridge, Charles Burke of Steuben, Shain Rau and his companion, Ally, of San Francisco, Calif., Amanda (Rau) Ely and her husband, Damon, of Christianburg, Va., Matthew Rau of Orono, Joshua and Erin Smith of Cherryfield and their father, David Smith; 15 great-grandchildren, Frank III, Maggie, Daniel, Kayleigh, Gracie, Kyra, Zachery, Jared, Patrick, Christopher, Wyatt, Kristen, Brittney, Cassidy, Courtney. He was predeceased by two sisters, Alice and Mary; a brother, Raymond; and a very special granddaughter, Michelle Rolfe. The family would like to thank all the friends and relatives, for providing transportation for Charlie’s trips for dialysis. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home in Milbridge. Gifts in Charlie’s memory may be sent to Eastern Maine Dialysis Center, Ellsworth.
CHARLES L. BURKE
