Obituary for John Sarris Burke
Of Norwood, passed away peacefully on Friday April 21st, 2023 surrounded by his loving family in the comfort of his home after a 7 year courageous battle with cancer. He was 34.
Born on February 17, 1989 in Norwood; beloved son of John F. Burke and Christine S. (Sarris) Burke. John was raised, educated and had been a lifelong resident of Norwood.
John graduated from Norwood High School with the Class of 2007 and continued his education at Boston University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 2011. He returned to Boston University after a brief period of time to earn a Masters degree in Computer Engineering. John had been employed as an Embedded Cybersecurity Research and Development Engineer with Draper Laboratories in Cambridge.
His life, although short, was devoted to his family, his faith and service to others. John's family was always first and foremost and he cherished time spent with his wife, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends alike. John's faith was also a significant focus of his life. He was heavily involved with the Boston University Catholic Center, recently served as a youth ministry volunteer at Good Shepherd Parish in Wayland, and belonged to several adult spiritual groups. John was selfless, and could often be found reaching out to those in need and helping to better the lives of others. He frequently took time on school vacations to share meals with the homeless in Boston; he also volunteered to rebuild homes and feed the families of those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He was kind, caring and compassionate. Although faced with a horrible disease and an early childhood medical condition, John always maintained a positive outlook.
John lived and loved life to the fullest. He had many different interests and talents including; learning and speaking several different languages, gardening, being outdoors hiking and running, doing calligraphy, cooking and making mead. He was a sponge of information and as a young man was a Physics Olympics champion. He could also be considered a champion of Nintendo for all the times he would beat his friends and family.
He is survived by his devoted wife Annie N. (Nguyen) Burke; his loving parents John Burke and Christine (Sarris) Burke; and his dear siblings Tom Burke and Elizabeth M. Burke. In addition, he is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous close friends.
Funeral form the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St., (Rt. 1A), NORWOOD, on Thursday, April 27, at 10 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Norwood, at 11 AM. Those unable to attend can view the live stream of the funeral mass athttps://www.stcatherinnorwood.org/live-stream. Visiting Hours in the funeral home on Wednesday, from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in John's memory to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, dedication page John Sarris Burke at jttps://www.curesarcoma.org/john-sarris-burke/.
Born on February 17, 1989 in Norwood; beloved son of John F. Burke and Christine S. (Sarris) Burke. John was raised, educated and had been a lifelong resident of Norwood.
John graduated from Norwood High School with the Class of 2007 and continued his education at Boston University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 2011. He returned to Boston University after a brief period of time to earn a Masters degree in Computer Engineering. John had been employed as an Embedded Cybersecurity Research and Development Engineer with Draper Laboratories in Cambridge.
His life, although short, was devoted to his family, his faith and service to others. John's family was always first and foremost and he cherished time spent with his wife, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends alike. John's faith was also a significant focus of his life. He was heavily involved with the Boston University Catholic Center, recently served as a youth ministry volunteer at Good Shepherd Parish in Wayland, and belonged to several adult spiritual groups. John was selfless, and could often be found reaching out to those in need and helping to better the lives of others. He frequently took time on school vacations to share meals with the homeless in Boston; he also volunteered to rebuild homes and feed the families of those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He was kind, caring and compassionate. Although faced with a horrible disease and an early childhood medical condition, John always maintained a positive outlook.
John lived and loved life to the fullest. He had many different interests and talents including; learning and speaking several different languages, gardening, being outdoors hiking and running, doing calligraphy, cooking and making mead. He was a sponge of information and as a young man was a Physics Olympics champion. He could also be considered a champion of Nintendo for all the times he would beat his friends and family.
He is survived by his devoted wife Annie N. (Nguyen) Burke; his loving parents John Burke and Christine (Sarris) Burke; and his dear siblings Tom Burke and Elizabeth M. Burke. In addition, he is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous close friends.
Funeral form the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St., (Rt. 1A), NORWOOD, on Thursday, April 27, at 10 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Norwood, at 11 AM. Those unable to attend can view the live stream of the funeral mass athttps://www.stcatherinnorwood.org/live-stream. Visiting Hours in the funeral home on Wednesday, from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in John's memory to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, dedication page John Sarris Burke at jttps://www.curesarcoma.org/john-sarris-burke/.