Michael J. "burkie" Burke
In December 2013, Michael J. Burke (aka "Big Mike" and/or "Burkie") was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 58. During the following 15+ months, Big Mike fought every day with a smile on his face, however he unfortunately lost his battle just days after his 60th birthday.
Burkie was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and especially a friend to all who he encountered and will always be a powerful example to us all on how to treat people. Big Mike loved helping people and he didn’t do it for the credit, most of the time it was anonymous; he did it because it made his heart feel good.
For those who didn't have the pleasure of knowing Mike you can read a little more about him and his family in the Boston Irish Reporter from a few years ago:
http://www.bostonirish.com/news/2014/southie’s-burkes-‘family’-sacred-word
