James "Jim" Joseph Burke

James Joseph Burke, 81, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away at home on August 17, 2025, with his beloved wife, Cathy, by his side. Born on January 11, 1944, in Norwalk, Connecticut, Jim grew up in Scarsdale, New York. He graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in 1961, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1965, and received a Master’s degree in Operations Research from Union College in 1970, building a strong academic foundation that launched his 45-year career in power distribution consulting.

Jim began his career at General Electric in their Advanced Utility Engineering Program, honing skills in generation, transmission, and distribution. He held key roles at Power Technologies Inc. (PTI), ABB, Synergetic Design, and Quanta Technology, serving as an executive consultant. Jim pioneered innovations like the world’s first 50 kilovolt electrified rail system, metal oxide riser pole arresters, a microprocessor-based fault recorder, and the five-wire distribution system. He authored Power Distribution Engineering: Fundamentals & Applications and numerous papers on overvoltage and overcurrent protection. As a dedicated mentor, Jim thrived on guiding young engineers, collaborating closely to share insights on system stability, grounding, and power quality. He took immense pride in witnessing their careers develop and flourish, often valuing their successes in the industry more than his own accomplishments.

His professional achievements earned him recognition as an IEEE Fellow (later Life Fellow), the 2005 IEEE Herman Halperin Electric Transmission and Distribution Award, and the 1996 IEEE Power Engineering Society Award for Excellence in Power Distribution Engineering.

Jim met his future bride, Cathy Montgomery, when he was 16, sparking a romance that grew through heartfelt letters exchanged during his college years. They married on June 18, 1966, when she was 19 and he was 22. The couple lived in Schenectady, New York, and Arcadia, California, before settling in Ballston Spa, New York, from 1971 to 1997, where they raised their three children—Christina (Joseph) Kremer of Napoleonville, LA, Thomas (Katherine) Burke of Soddy Daisy, TN, and Richard Burke (Deceased). They relocated to Cary, North Carolina, in 1997 for Jim’s career. He treasured his four grandchildren—Jacqueline (Cory) Burke of Saratoga Springs, NY, Meghan (Quin) Cochran of Eagle River, AK, Chance (Dakota) Kremer of Fort Rucker, AL, and Dominique (Tripp) Waller of Fort Rucker, AL—and four great-granddaughters: Harlow Kremer, Reagan Kremer, Emerson Cochran, and Elena Burke. Jim is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Charlton of Norwalk, CT, and Jacqueline (Robert) O’Leary of Tallahassee, FL, along with his cherished nieces and nephews.

Jim pursued hobbies of backpacking in the Adirondacks, woodworking, Ham Radio, and target shooting. In the 1980s, he stumbled into coaching the Saratoga Biathlon Club, a role he embraced despite no prior experience in the sport. Guiding five young men toward success as future Olympic and national athletes proved deeply rewarding, showcasing his ability to inspire and to lead. An avid dog enthusiast, Jim formed strong bonds with his canine companions: Susie, Tilly, Tyronna, Hammer, Bear, and Tilly 2. As a founding member of the Underground Dog Park in Cary, he often enjoyed early morning walks, particularly 4 a.m. strolls with his golden retriever by the lake.

Jim’s legacy of innovation, mentorship, and warmth will endure in his family, friends, and community. His accomplishments as a Notre Dame alumnus honored the university’s mission of excellence and service.

A visitation is scheduled for September 6, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life Service on September 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, North Carolina 27511.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the University of Notre Dame (https://giving.nd.edu) or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Breakthrough T1D (https://www.breakthrought1d.org).