Maurice James Burke

The widowed father of five and grandfather of 10 was a dedicated business leader, public servant and philanthropist.

Born on February 16, 1938 in Binghamton, New York to Maurice James Burke II and Dorothy Ann Moran, Jim received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, where he attended on a basketball scholarship.

Jim’s distinguished career in business included working for Procter & Gamble, a Fortune 500 company, and subsequently holding high-level leadership roles within prominent U.S. hospitality companies such as Holiday Inn and the now defunct Promus Hotel Corporation.

Jim was an active member of the North Naples, Pelican Bay and Collier County communities, serving in elected office as a commissioner of the North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District for nearly two decades. Over the years, he has served in numerous local leadership positions, such as on the board of directors for the Pelican Bay Services Division and on the Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee. Jim was a founding member and the secretary and treasurer of the Citizens Transportation Coalition of Collier County, as well as an active participant in the Collier County Commission District 2 Advisory Committee. He was an active council and Fourth Degree assembly member of the Knights of Columbus of Saint William Catholic Church in Naples, a position he used to help raise money for charitable causes and organizations in Collier County. Jim was also a volunteer with Collier Harvest Foundation, which aims to address food insecurity in the area, and he once served on the board of directors for Porter-Leath, a non-profit based in Memphis, Tennessee that serves at-risk children and families in the mid-south region.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Ann Burke; his parents, Maurice and Dorothy; his younger brother Thomas William Burke; his son-in-law William Jackson; his sister-in-law Sandra Barbera and brother-in-law Frank Barbera.

Jim is survived by his children, Margaret Jackson; Maurice James Burke IV and his wife, Jill; Martin Burke; Matthew Burke and his wife, Lorie; and Catherine Burke; his younger brother Kevin Burke; his grandchildren, Mackenzie James Burke and his wife, Andrea; Amanda Jackson and her husband, Matt; Olivia Jackson; Melody Burke; Meredith Burke; Aimee Burke; Elizabeth Burke; Maurice James Burke V; Jered Burke; and Andrew Burke; and his sister-in-law, Denise Mastronardi. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, close friends and acquaintances.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 at St. William Catholic Church in Naples, Florida. The eulogy will be at 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are by Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens.

The family wishes to extend its thanks to members of the North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District as well as the Naples Knights of Columbus, for their yearslong love and support for Jim, his dedication to the Catholic church and his efforts in the community.

In lieu of flowers, any contributions can be made to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, the Freedom Memorial Foundation of Naples, and or Golden PAWs Assistance Dogs.