Burke, John - Of Red Islands, Richmond County, passed away in Port Hawkesbury on Friday, May 15, 2020 at age 88. Born in Lower L’Ardoise, he was the son of the late Alice (Landry) and Henry Burke. John was a member of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Johnstown. A retired lineman, John worked for N.S. Power and various contractors throughout the province and beyond, including B.C., Bermuda and Ohio. Along with his work adventures, John treasured his friends in the AA community. He had an active retirement with his wife Marie on the shore of the Bras d’Or Lake in Red Islands. He enjoyed fishing, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, puttering around the garage, cooling off in the lake and eating lobster. Most of all, he loved listening to fiddle music. John is survived by his wife, Marie (MacDonald), Port Hawkesbury; children and their families: Donna (Rob, Wallis and Andrew McMillin), Delta, B.C.; Kevin (Gitte Hansen), Scarborough, Ont.; Jean (Blair and Nigel Landry), Evanston, N.S.; Jim (Julie Warner), Penticton, B.C.; Lisa (Kevin, Conor and Lindsay Doyle), Ottawa, Ont.; brother, Vincent (Anne), Lower L’Ardoise; many nieces and nephews; and his extended family of Eileen Sampson, Red Islands; Anna MacDonald, L’Ardoise; Judith MacDonald, Bridgewater; Malcolm MacDonald, Eastern Passage; and Reyonalda MacDonald, East Bay. John was predeceased by his brothers, George, James "Harry'; sister, Frances Brymer, and by his son, Phillip, whose death broke his heart. He will rest next to Phillip in the Barra Head Cemetery. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, remember him by listening to a good fiddle tune! Memorial donations may be made to the Red Islands Volunteer Fire Department or to any of the families of the victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting. Visit www.heartcolchester.ca for the list of charities. Arrangements are under the care of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 26 Centennial St., St. Peter’s. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Service Information Service Location A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date Burial Information Burial Location Burial at a later date in Barra Head Cemetery