Michael M. Burke, 75, of North Branford, passed away peacefully on August 16th, 2023, at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born in New Haven on May 15th, 1948, he was the son of the late Maurice and Flora LeDuc Burke. Michael graduated from Eli Whitney Technical School and served his country faithfully in the US Army during the Vietnam era. He served as a Detective on the North Branford Police Department and for many years was “Officer Friendly” as part of a youth program sponsored by the North Branford PD, he volunteered on the East Haven Fire Department and worked for Servpro. Michael enjoyed photography, was an animal lover, enjoyed sitting in his yard watching the deer, the hummingbirds and his Koi Pond. Father of Michael Burke, Jr., Jason Burke (Andrea), Christopher Burke, Ryan Marie West (Greg). Grandfather of Samantha Shelby Burke and Connor Jason Burke. Stepfather of Jennifer Comerford (William), Shannon DaRos (Peter), and Jessica Melillo (Thomas). Step grandfather of Cauley Comerford, Hunter DaRos, Ava Melillo, Thomas Melillo and Kamryn Melillo. Brother of Karen Catalano, Elaine Norwood, Cindy Acri (Shawn) William Burke (Joanne) and the late Patricia Kelley and Barbara Bogert. Also survived by many nieces, nephew, and his dog Pebbles. Predeceased by his loving companion Elizabeth Lucas.
The visiting hours will be Tuesday morning, August 29th, 2023 from 9:00 to 11:00 at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven. A parlor service will be conducted at 11:00 AM. Interment with full military honors will follow in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Haven, Inc., 89 Mill Road, North Haven, CT 06473
Mike was a friend to me and treated me as though I was family. I enjoyed his Christmas buffet. When Betty was alive they came to dinner, a very special time. They were a beautiful couple. Easter breakfast was either at my house or we brought it to him so he could be included in the festivities. He also rode in the Veterans Day parade by special polaris decorated with flags honoring our men & women in 2023. I will miss his dry humor, he made me laugh. A wonderful man. Thank you Mike for being you.
Michael will always be “Mike” to me. He was a special person to me and a wonderful friend. He was all things nature. When I needed information about hummingbirds, flowers etc,!I would start my text with “Hey google”…:and then I always got the answer to what I needed to know. As you would kid me when we were younger Mike, “You can have all my ……….. “ to which to this day remains a mystery. Rip Kath
I remember Mike in my teenage years. He was that cute little blonde boy with blue eyes and always smiling. I’ll always remember my double dating with him and his teenage love. Rest in peace
Mike and my condolences to the family.
Mike and I served in Viet Nam together and stayed in-touch afterwards. We shared our life’s with each other until the end! I never thought I would be the last man standing! Rest in peace my Brother!
Till we meet again!