Obituary of Edward H Burke

Edward H. Burke, Jr., 88, of Basking Ridge, NJ, died on March 27, 2020 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Ed was born on October 28, 1931, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Marie and Edward Burke, Sr. He was the oldest of 3 brothers. On February 8, 1959, he married Lois Krystyniak Burke. He graduated from the Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1953 and went on to attain his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. After serving for 3 years in the U.S. Army, he was hired by Bell Laboratories where he worked until he retired as Director in 1994. Ed always enjoyed being active and fully engaged in life. He was defined by his unflappable enthusiasm and optimism. He loved to read, play tennis, and especially to spend summer days sailing his boat on Long Beach Island. Ed was ever curious and never stopped learning, auditing courses at Princeton University as long as he was able. He was a man of utmost integrity and honesty. Most of all, Ed deeply loved his family, and was greatly loved and respected in return. He is survived by Lois, his beloved wife of 61 years; daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Scott Brenman of Philadelphia, PA; daughter and son-in-law Susan and Bruce Burns of Charlotte, NC; brother Leo Burke of Brea, CA; and 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother James Lawrence Burke. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, a memorial service will be postponed until a later date when possible.