Frederick C. Burke

Frederick C. Burke, 89, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at Heritage Pointe, Fort Wayne. Born October 8, 1929 in Fairhaven, Mass., he was the son of the late George and Helen (Tucker) Burke. A graduate of Fairhaven High School, Fairhaven, Mass., “Fast Freddie” was a superb 3-sport athlete and was inducted into his school’s Sports Hall of Fame. He furthered his education at New Bedford Institute of Technology earning a Bachelor Degree in Chemistry. He had a long and distinguished career as the Director of Purchasing, specializing in precious metals with Rea Magnet Wire, from which he retired after 35 years of service. He proudly served his country as an officer in the US Army during the Korean War and he was a dedicated volunteer with the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. An avid reader, he also loved jazz music, crossword puzzles, word games and playing tennis. Above all, he was a dedicated family man who always put his family first. Surviving are his children, Joanne Seaman of Fort Wayne, Patricia Pantello of Fort Wayne, Michael (Janie) Burke of Plano, Texas, Andrew (Chris) Burke of Lake Barrington, Ill., and Andrea (Matt) Hartzog of Oswego, Ill.; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Jean Arnold of Laguna Hills, Calif., John (Marie) Burke of Reading, Mass., Jackie Caufield of Avon, Conn., Donald Burke of Danvers, Mass., and Phil (Pat) Burke of Sullivan, Mo.; son-in-law, David Conder of Chicago, Ill., and sister-in-law, Linda Burke of Reading, Mass. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Margaret (Jenkins) Burke; daughter, Janine Conder; brothers, Richard and David Burke; son-in-law, Richard A. Seaman; brother-in-law, Richard Caufield; and sister-in-law, Nancy Burke. Calling will be from 11am – 1pm on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Hockemeyer and Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Rd., Fort Wayne. A private inurnment will be held at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross. For online condolences, please visit www.hockemeyermillerfh.com.