James A. Burke

James A. Burke, age 94, of Canton, passed away peacefully on May 29th at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital in Boston. Born and raised in Dorchester, Jim proudly served in the US Naval Air Force during the Korean War as an airplane mechanic. He was deeply proud of his military service and remained honored to be a veteran throughout his life.

Following his service, he devoted his entire career to the bookbinding industry, working as a bookbinder and bindery manager at Riverside Press in Cambridge and later at Rand McNally in Taunton. He was admired for his remarkable work ethic, steady reliability, and ability to fix just about anything. Jim also had a quiet wit and gentle sense of humor that will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Jim and his beloved wife, Anna, raised their family in Canton, where he was a resident for more than 50 years. Family was the center of his life, and nothing brought him greater happiness or pride than his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose love and dedication to his family were evident in everything he did.

He was predeceased by his cherished wife Anna; his brother and close friend, Frank “Bud” Burke; his parents; and four other siblings.

He was the devoted father of Ronald Burke and his wife Elaine of Norfolk; Diane Federico and her partner Jay Douglas of Attleboro; Carol Marini and her husband John Jr. of Canton; Eileen Green and her husband Steven of Easton; and Susan Sweenie and her husband Peter of Canton. He was also the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren and great-grandfather of three great-grandchildren and a princess on the way.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 11:15 a.m. at Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service, from 10-11:15 a.m. Burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton.

Donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Filipe De Carvalho, MD Research Fund

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