Joseph C. Burick

THEIR STORY:

Fran and Joe met in 1963 while Joe was assigned to the USS Daniel Webster SSBN 626 and worked at the Electric Boat Co., Groton Connecticut during the construction of this submarine. At the time, Joe was driving a white 1963 Chevrolet 409 425HP convertible that caught the attention of Fran. Once Fran assured herself that she liked Joe as much as the car, they got married in a small service by the New London Justice of the Peace.

Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy and 5 years working for GE in Cleveland, Joe and Fran relocated to Phoenix Arizona. They both enjoyed successful careers in the fields of Systems Application Development and Hardware/Software Support Services. Shortly thereafter Joe joined the Estrella Mountain Car Club and became a vocal supporter of the effort to make the club a 501c3. Joe also created the Club's Sponsorship program which generated the revenue to put on the annual car show and pay for various miscellaneous club costs. Other major contributions included working with "Back the Pack" to support the annual high school parade and negotiating a "Track Day” with Phoenix Raceways for the benefit of EMMC members.

Joe and Fran had interests in anything that had a motor on/in it. This included cars, boats, bikes and airplanes. They had many exciting adventures throughout their life expectancy due to this interest and here are a few.

AIRPLANES:

Joe's interest in airplanes incented him to join the Charleston SC Air Force Aero Club to get his pilot's license to fly Cessna 150s and 172s and the Piper Cherokee 140. Joe spent time working for the Civil Air Patrol until he bent the prop on the Patrol's tail dragger during a routine landing in Charleston. Needless to say, this mishap ended Joe's career with the Civil Air Patrol.

BOATS:

On a slow day in San Diego, Fran and Joe decided to visit the local dealer in town. After an hour of talking with the SeaRay salesperson, he invited Joe and Fran to go down to the docks and take a look at a 34-foot Sundancer. Once the salesperson started the twin 454s and Joe listened to how they sounded running, it took about 5 minutes for him to break out his checkbook and cut a deal.

MOTORCYCLES:

Motorcycles play a big role in the life of Fran and Joe. Fran had her own Honda 750 and Harley VROD. Joe owned at one time two Hayabusa's, a CBR1000, two FJR1300s, 4 Harley RoadKings, a K1200LT and a Big Dog.

FINE AUTOMOBILES:

Although Detroit muscle cars had the greatest appeal to Joe, this didn't stop him from owning some of the finest imports made. The purchase of a BMW 850, 370ZX, two Porsche 911s and a Mercedes 300 were some of his favorites and were in addition to the 21 Corvettes he had purchased.

Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Francine, his daughter, Kathleen and her husband Douglas, and his brother Robert and his wife Eileen. In place of flowers, Joe's favorite charity was Tunnels to Towers.