Ignatius MacNeil Burke
September 1, 1930 – June 17, 2022
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It is with broken hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Ignatius MacNeil Burke of French Cove, Nova Scotia on June 17, 2022 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Sydney, Nova Scotia. Born in French Cove on Sept 1, 1930 to the late John Burke and Annie Burke (McNeil), he is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Winnie Burke (Sampson), his children Tom (Monique) Beamsville Ont. Pamela (Rob) Wallace, Pearl (Floyd) Burke both of French Cove and Cyrus (Patricia) Mulgrave Nova Scotia. Grandsons Duncan George (Melissa) Carter of Windsor Nova Scotia, Thomas Burke, Simon Burke of Beamsville Ont. Gregory Wallace of Glasgow Scotland, Patrick Wallace of Toronto Ont. Also survived by his sister, Sarah Burke of French Cove. Predeceased by brothers Samuel, Cornelius, James (in infancy), sisters, Cicily Fougere, Ida Carter, and adopted sister Josephine Forsythe.
Dad worked hard as a heavy equipment operator in Schefferville, Quebec for many years before he and our mom decided to move back to Cape Breton to raise their family, where he continued to work as an operator and diesel mechanic. He met lots of people through his years working and many became life long friends that stayed in contact over the years.
He was devoted to his wife of 64 years, and since his retirement in 1995 they have been constant companions, always supporting each other. Where you saw one, you were almost sure to see the other. He took great joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, in which he had great pride.
He spent many hours playing his guitar with friends, working on models, making puzzles and reading. There were always books around the house and Dad had a particular interest in historical books with stories from World War II. At anytime if someone needed to have an engine fixed or a car repaired, he volunteered his time, tools, experience and space on the garage floor to anyone who needed help. His kindness even extended to total strangers. More than one traveller in distress, whether by road or boat managed to find their way to our door and Dad was right there to help either with some advice or to drive them to town for supplies, to help them get home.
Dad was a great lover of sweets and chocolates. For him no meal was complete without a cup of tea and something sweet.
He had a kindness for animals, particularly cats. There were always four legged friends somewhere in the house.
If you had any problem or question, Dad was always there with practical, even insightful advice.
Dad was a soft-spoken man, but when he spoke many listened. Even though he was small in stature, he was big in spirit. This is why we are all left with the largest of holes in our hearts, now that his spirit has left us.
Words cannot describe how much he meant to us, and how much we will miss him.
The family would like to thank the EHS staff members a well as the Nurses and staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care unit, for the thoughtful and gentle care provided to our Dad.
Visitation will take place at the River Bourgeois Funeral Parlour, River Bourgeois on Wednesday, June 22nd, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Funeral mass Thursday, June 23rd, St. Peters Catholic Church, St. Peters at 10:00 AM. Rev. John Yake officiating. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to St. Peters Catholic Church, St Peters, or the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care, Sydney, NS.
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SERVICES
Visitation
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
River Bourgeois Visitation Parlor
8133 Highway 4
River Bourgeois, Nova Scotia B0E3B0
Funeral Service
Thursday, June 23, 2022
10:00 AM
St. Peters Roman Catholic Church
9785 Grenville Street
St. Peters, Nova Scotia B0E3B0
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ignatius MacNeil Burke September 1 1930 June 17 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia