Edmund John Burke, Jr.

Edmund J. Burke, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2024. Ed was born January 17,1945, in Farmington, CT, son to the late Edmund Sr. and Helen (Keeley) Burke.

Ed attended high school at Norwich Free Academy where, in his senior year, he was hired by the Norwich Bulletin as a photographer. Some of his photographs were even picked up by the Associated Press. This sparked his lifelong love of taking photographs. He also attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, earned a bachelor's degree from Connecticut College in Biology/Ecology, and completed graduate work at Eastern Connecticut State University leading to a teaching certificate in secondary science education. Ed used this certificate to teach night school at Norwich Free Academy. He was a lifelong learner and teacher.

Ed served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged. He then volunteered in the National Guard. He not only served his country, but also found many ways to serve his fellow veterans as a civilian. Through his work at the Office of the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the state of Connecticut for 23 years and, after his retirement, his work on Congressman Joe Courtney’s (D-CT) staff as his Military and Veterans Field Representative, he was able to provide better care and improve the quality of life for “his boys'', as he called veterans from all branches of the service. Beginning in 1998, Ed volunteered for 9 years at the VA Connecticut’s Errera Community Care Center (“ECCC”) working with and mentoring veterans with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Through listening to these veterans he learned what was important to them. As a result, he was able to give them an active voice to advocate for one another's needs by inspiring them to create the Veteran’s Empowerment Committee (VEC) He served on several boards and committees including the Connecticut Veterans Coalition in multiple roles, was chairperson of VA Connecticut Health Care System Mental Health Community Advisory Board, and was the Connecticut Representative for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 1) New England States, Mental Health Community Advisory Board. In addition, Ed served multiple roles in the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 120, was an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10004 where he was a past commander and post adjutant, and was active in the Jewett City American Legion. After his third retirement, he contributed to his community as a member of the Griswold Board of Selectmen. A few examples of his many accomplishments include being instrumental in the Building and Planning Committee for the Jewett City American Legion Veterans Housing Project, was a founding member of the annual Reason to Ride Bike Run to benefit veterans, and was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame in 2010.

Photography, fly fishing, and the Red Sox were Ed’s life-long passions. He enjoyed taking fishing or “river watching” trips to the Delaware River, Farmington River, and Salmon River.

Ed is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janet; his son Jonathan (Jennifer) of Trumbull; daughter Erin (Jason) Maynard of Colchester; 4 cherished grandchildren; a niece Lee-Ann(Sean) Cleland and a nephew David, all of Florida; brothers-in-law Walter Koncinski of Tennessee and Dennis (Tami) Koncinski of Plainfield; and his devoted dog Teddy. He was predeceased by his sister, K. Ann Messina.

A mass will be held at 9:30 am on Tuesday August 13 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich, CT with a Celebration of Life to follow from 11:00-3:00 at the Jewett City VFW Post 10004.  There are no calling hours. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed’s name to Project Healing Waters (https://projecthealingwaters.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) to support veterans healing through learning to fly fish.

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