John Anthony Burke John Anthony "Jack" Burke, 80 of Brockton, died October 6, 2013 surrounded by his children. He was the husband of Theresa J. (Oriola) Burke, whom he married July 5, 1958. Born in Brockton, MA on May 18, 1933, he was the third child of the late BPD Ptlmn.Thomas J. and Sarah V. (McDonald) Burke. He attended Brockton schools and was a proud 1951 graduate of Monsignor James Coyle High School in Taunton, and had attended Wentworth Institute of Technology. He was an electronic engineer, and had a long, illustrious career. John grew up in the Montello section of Brockton, was known to boyhood friends as "Jackie", and was active in St. Edward's Parish. He was the godfather of many too-sick or too-frail babies born at Phaneuf Hospital, and would run to the hospital when called by a priest. In 1957, mutual friends introduced John and Theresa, and they were married the following year. They bought a home in North Quincy, then had a house built in the Campello section of Brockton, where they raised their five children. John worked for Raytheon in Quincy for over 35 years, with brief hiatuses working for Pickard and Burns and General Instrument. In February of 1966, he received a special federal clearance and went to Spain to help find a hydrogen bomb that fell from a B-52G bomber in January. He was assigned to the USS Boston - the flagship of the recovery effort. With his help, the bomb was found on March 17. He retired from Raytheon as the Manager of the Standards and Calibration Lab. John graduated from Coyle in 1951. In the late 70s, he was dismayed that his class had never had a reunion, and organized their 30 year gathering in 1981. He made some great friends, re-made others, and was proud to have brought his "Coyle brothers" back together. They usually spent 3-day weekends on the Cape or Goat Island, brought their spouses and had a great time. In retirement, he volunteered with various organizations. With the Downtown Brockton Association, he helped put on the Downtown Brockton Holiday Parade for 17 years, leading the committee for 10, making adjustments so it ran like a well-oiled machine. He loved Brockton, for what it was and what it could be. No matter the times, he only wanted to leave Brockton during the cold winters, and for many years he and Theresa were "snowbirds." He had a sharp mind until a few weeks before his death, and could tell you a story about any building or landmark in the city - and often did. His family remembers his as a firm strict father, a mushy grandfather and a marshmallow of great grand father. When he was cranky all you had to do is mention one of his great granddaughters - Bella or Aaliyah - and the dark cloud would pass. He was know to some as "MacGyver" because he could fix almost anything. He was willing to help anyone and everyone. He did things by the rules and laws - real or his own - and did't believe in taking short cuts. There was only one way to do things - the right way. He loved fishing off Scituate, and captained his boat "John-So" for many years. He made his own lures, and they always worked. In addition to his wife, Theresa, he leaves his five children and their spouses/significant others: Louise (and Robert) Cote of North Attleborough; Annmarie Carlozzi of Brockton; Thomas Burke Sr. (and Carol Robinson) of Brockton; and John Burke (and Tammy Cornwall) of Brockton; and Donald (and Gina) Burke of Taunton. He leaves nine grandchildren: Thomas Burke Jr., Andrew Carlozzi; Daniel, Steven, Courtney, Ashley, Noah, Riley and Jordan Burke; two great-granddaughters, Bella and Aaliyah; his sister Ann Guay of Saunderstown, RI; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Bernard J. Burke, and his son-in-law Roderick A. Carlozzi, Jr. Funeral Information Funeral from the Russell Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt.123) Brockton on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 9:30AM thence to St. Edith Stein/St. Edward Parish, 71 East Main Street, Brockton where a funeral Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul at 10:30AM. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery,245 North Street, Randolph, MA. Calling hours in the Russell Pica Funeral Home Thursday 5:00-8:00PM.