William "Bill" J Burke, Jr.

William J. “Bill” Burke, Jr., 73, of Worcester, passed away while surrounded by loving family in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of fifty-one years, Linda M. (Williams) Burke; their two children, Derek J. Burke and his wife Ruby of Auburn, and Nicole M. Turner and her husband James of Sterling; three grandchildren, Julie Turner, Dylan and Cayleigh Burke; many nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia McCart.  He was born in Worcester, son of the late, William J. and Isabel M. (Carelli) Burke, and has lived here all his life.  He graduated from the former Sacred Heart Academy and received a degree in graphic design from Becker College in Worcester.

Bill served his nation proudly in the United States Army National Guard and worked as a machinist for many years at Wyman-Gordon Company in Worcester and Grafton, before retiring in 1996.  He was a member of Saint George Catholic Church in Worcester and was an accomplished guitar player; and enjoyed fishing in his spare time.  His grandchildren were the lights of his life along with his devotion to the Boston Red Sox.

Calling Hours for Bill will be on Sunday, January 12, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral will be on Monday, January 13, from the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. in procession to a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass in Saint George Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Pan Mass Challenge, a cancer fund raising organization that gives donations directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute; you can make your donations in Bill’s memory by using this link The PMC - Donate - Start