Obituary of Philip Burke

AIKEN, SC – Philip Burke, 89 years old, passed away on Tuesday February 2, 2021. 

  

Born in Richmond Hill, Long Island, NY, he was the youngest of eight children of George and Nora (Moran) Burke.  After graduating from St. George Academy, Manhattan, NY, he worked in the banking industry until enlisting in the Air Force in December 1951.  He served at various air bases, including 30 months in Iwakuni, Japan.  Upon returning home he met and married Dolores Lippard of Charlotte, NC. Philip was a sales representative for McQuay Norris Mfg. Company for North and South Carolina.  They relocated to Philadelphia, PA in 1963, where he was Eastern Zone Manager for the 20 North and Southeastern states and later went on to become Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a regional food service firm.  

   

After Dolores died of cancer, Phil met and married Mary Miller (Dillman), creating a new blended family with their six children, (Philip’s four and Mary’s two) ages five to 15. They lived in Ambler, PA until December 1996 when Philip retired.  They then moved to Cedar Creek where he obtained his real estate license and worked for Cedar Creek Development for ten years.  He and Mary were active in many Cedar Creek and Aiken social groups and clubs. 

Philip Burke was a devoted husband, beloved father and steadfast friend. His humor and guidance will be dearly missed by the many lives he touched throughout his own. At 89 years of age, he was independent and very active. He passed away due to complications from Covid-19. 

  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Dillman Burke.

 

Survivors include their children, Phyllis Burke Russell of Aiken,SC; Eileen Burke (Michael Loeper) of Glenside, PA; Beverly Burke of Aiken,SC; Victor Burke of St. Paul, MN; Ellen Miller of Chalfont, PA; Charles Miller (Jessica Weatherwax) of Denver, CO; and grandchildren, Cecelia Roust, Benjamin Russell, Wesley Miller and Miles Miller.

   

A celebration of life is planned for November of 2021 for family and friends of Philip, who would have been 90 on November 21.

  

Memorial contributions may be made to Golden Harvest Food Bank, 81 Capital Dr. Aiken, SC 29803 or Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 3323, Aiken, SC 29802.

   

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

   

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com