ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant John Burke, The Elms, 4 Kevinsfort, Strandhill Road, Sligo Town F91AX6X and formerly of Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. On April 20th 2025, peacefully at North West Hospice, surrounded by his loving family.
Predeceased by his parents T.P. and Eileen, twin brother Oliver, sister Marie and grandson Robin. Dearly loved husband of Joan and father of Sharon, Colin, Órnagh and James. He will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife, daughters, sons, sister Eleanor, brothers Eamon and Jim, daughters-in-law Emma and Isa, Sharon’s partner Kevin, Órnagh’s partner Ronan, cherished grandchildren Lauren, Bodhi and Emily, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and many friends.
Rest in Peace
John Burke was born on 2nd July 1950 in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. He began his service in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 19 Infantry Battalion, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, where he attained the rank of Corporal in 1968. Having completed his Leaving Certificate in 1969, while on Full Time Security Duty in Finner Camp, he was awarded a Cadetship and joined 44 Cadet Class on 14th October 1969. John was commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 27th September 1971 and was posted to 4 Infantry Battalion in Cork. He graduated from University College Galway in 1970 as a Bachelor of Arts. Posted to 28 Infantry Battalion in September 1973, where he spent the majority of his service, John returned to his old unit, 19 Infantry Battalion, as Training Officer in 1982. He would return again to the unit in 1991 as Officer Commanding. Overseas John was Staff Officer Logistics, with Headquarters UNIFIL in Lebanon in 1980. He served with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation as an Observer between 1985 and 1987, and was also Company Commander, Headquarters Company 76 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL in 1994/1995. At home John was a Company Commander with both 6 and 28 Infantry Battalions.
He completed a Bachelor of Laws degree in Galway in 1994, retired in August 1996, and trained as a solicitor with Martin J. Burke Solicitors in Carrick-on-Shannon. Having been admitted to the Roll of Solicitors, John worked with the Legal Aid Board until his retirement in 2011.
Reposing at his home on Tuesday, April 22nd from 4pm to 8pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, April 23rd in Saint Patrick’s Church, Strandhill, County Sligo. Burial follows in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Scarden, Strandhill Road, Sligo.
Funeral Mass will be livestreamed via: www.churchservices.tv/strandhill
Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Sligo Cancer Support Centre via www.feehilys.ie/pay
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of John’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/comdt-john-burke-sligo-sligo-town-591924
