Burke

Thomas Frederick "Tom" Burke went home to God and to his beloved wife Cathy on May 14, 2025.

Tom was born on March 14, 1941, at St. Agnes Hospital in South Philly to Richard Edward Burke and Florence (Mount) Burke.

The family moved to Maple Shade NJ in the 1940's to 65 S. Clinton Ave. He loved his six siblings and stayed close with them his entire life.

He graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1959. He served in the Navy for two years as a computer specialist in D.C. with his older brother Edward as his commanding officer.

Tom earned a bachelor's in Business from Temple University in 1975 after 15 years of night school. He started out as a computer programmer with Price Waterhouse, then started the company Strategic Computer Solutions that contracted programmers to Scott Paper Company for 20+ years. In the 1990's he bought Father Ike's Tavern in Manayunk. He renamed it The Olde Manayunk Pub and ran it for five years with his wife Cathy and most of his children working there part-time. Tom finished his working life as a realtor.

Tom met his wife Cathy, the love of his life, when they were factory co-workers in Germantown. They married in 1965 at St. Mary's in Manayunk followed by a $5 turkey dinner reception at the Springfield Hotel in Flourtown. They were inseparable for the next 60 years. They raised their six children at 4208 Manayunk Avenue with lots of home cooked meals and love to go around. He did everything he could to make her happy. He made sure all of their kids went to college and had straight teeth.

Tom was the most positive and encouraging person we ever met. His unwavering support of his children, grandchildren, friends and neighborhood kids will remain with all of us. So many thought of him as a second Father and Grandfather. He showed us the importance of staying close with family and friends.

Tom was a dedicated follower of Jesus. He will always be on "Team Jesus". Tom attended Mass his entire life. He went to Novena services weekly and attended weekend retreats at the Malvern Retreat House since the 1960's. He watched Mass everyday on TV. Tom knew he would be in heaven with Cathy and his family someday.

Tom & Cathy loved their houses in Ocean City, NJ and vacations to Myrtle Beach, SC. Tom just spent a wonderful weekend in Cape May before being called home by God. We will always remember Dad wearing one of his many sweatshirts from the Navy, Temple, Coca Cola, Lafayette and Myrtle Beach.

We will love Dad / Grandpop and miss him forever.

Devoted husband to Catherine (Palmer) Burke in heaven, loving father of Thomas (Barbara) Jr., Scott, Catherine (Fred) Esslinger, Sandy (Dave) Phillips, Susan (Jake) Benson, and Brian (Kristen) Burke. Grandfather of Christina (Alex), Sarah (Jacob), Catie, Mary, Lauren, Thomas, Julia, Sophia, Chloe, Luke, Harrison, Jacob, Charlotte, and Charles and Great-Grandfather to Elliott. Tom is also survived by his brothers Edward and Joseph. Predeceased by siblings Charles, Bernadette, Marie and Dorothy. Special love always for the Carr and Smith families.

Family and friends are invited to his viewing Tuesday 6-8 PM at the Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 425 Lyceum Ave, Philadelphia and Wednesday 9:30-10:30 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 819 Cathedral Rd, Philadelphia and to participate in his funeral mass 10:30 AM at the same church. Int Private.

We are so grateful to the ICU Nurses and Doctors at Lankenau Medical Center for their expert care and comfort towards Dad/Grandpop. Their professionalism and humanity was incredible. Please consider a donation to the Lankenau Medical Center Foundation in Dad's memory: giving.mainlinehealth.org.