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William J. Burke, 98, Longtime Greenwich Resident, WWII Veteran

STAMFORD, Conn. - William "Bill" Burke of Stamford, formerly of Greenwich, died Tuesday, Nov. 18. He was 98.

Burke was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was a long time resident of Greenwich. During World War II, he was a lieutenant in the United States Navy, serving as chief engineer in the Pacific theater. After his discharge, he attended Loyola University in Chicago on the G.I. Bill. After graduation, he worked with the Texaco Corporation, later Texas U.S. Chemical, where he held increasingly senior marketing positions. He was vice president, Marketing, for that company. After retirement he was a principal in the Northeast Executive Service Group, offering executive and consulting services to a significant array of area non-profit entities. He also served as president of the Retired Men's Association of Greenwich from 1992 to 1993, and logged time on the Edgehill Advisory counsel.

His most recent honor was the naming of the William J. Burke Library in Guatemala by the Safe Passage Organization in recognition of a life spent giving to others less fortunate.

Burke is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Margaret Burke Downing (Tom) of Yarmouth, Maine, Kathleen Burke Demare (Dr. Patrick) of Boonton, N.J., Susan Burke Schruth (Peter) of Old Greenwich and Jean Burke Young (Geoff) of Chattanooga, Tenn.; sons, William J. Burke, Jr. (Rita) of Stamford, and James Burke of New York City.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 in the Saint Catherine's Chapel in Riverside, followed by a family interment service at St. Mary's cemetery in Greenwich. Immediately following the funeral celebration there will be a reception at the Innis Arden Golf Club, located at 120 Tomac Avenue in Old Greenwich from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Safe Passage organization, at the Guatemala City dump. Safe Passage, 81 Bridge St., Yarmouth, Maine 04096.

For more information, please visit: www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com

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