Kevin James Burke, of Mamaroneck, passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 77.
Kevin was born in Port Chester to Ignatius and Elizabeth (Betty) Burke, Irish immigrants born in Ballymena and Lisacul, respectively. With his three older siblings John, Joan and Regina, the family lived in Harrison before moving to Rye, where they remained for many years.
Kevin attended grammar school at Resurrection and graduated from Rye High School. Kevin’s first full-time job was selling Buicks at Fair-Chester Motors (now Rye Subaru) across the street from the Police Station, where his Uncle Vincent Burke was Chief of Police. There he started his lifelong passion for cars.
He remained in the transportation industry working at a variety of positions, before starting his own company – Medi-Courier – which set up and maintained transportation networks for taking lab specimens and reports between local hospitals and their physicians’ offices. After 25 years, Kevin sold Medi-Courier (which is still in business) and semi-retired to driving buses with White Plains Bus Company, which he enjoyed for more than 12 years before full retirement in 2020. Shortly after starting Medi-Courier, Kevin met Elise Hartog and was happily married for more than 35 years.
Kevin was always ready to try something new. When young, he volunteered at the Rye Recreation Commission with Mr. Damiano setting up events, escorting field trips and flooding the park to create a skating rink in the winter. He learned Irish dancing in the Bronx with his family, who were frequently requested to entertain at local activities. He also took tap dancing lessons and performed on stage. He even encouraged his wife to become a competitive ballroom dancer and became her greatest fan. He learned how to play blues harp from Buddy Lucas at The Little Club in Rye and saw countless musical groups play at The Deercrest Inn in Banksville. He enjoyed skiing in Vermont and New Hampshire, playing golf, traveling with his wife, driving his Ford F150 truck; but mostly he loved spending time at his family’s house in the Catskills.
Kevin will be remembered for his enterprising and tireless work ethic; his party spirit and enjoyment of life; his constant willingness to lend a hand and having the right tools for the job; his engaging storytelling; but mostly, for his love and devotion to his family and friends.
On the Burke side of the family, Kevin was predeceased by his parents, brother John, sister Joan Turner, brother-in-law John Vassak, and niece Shannon Turner. He is survived by his wife Elise, sister Regina Vassak, sister-in-law Marie, brother-in-law John Turner, and nieces Katherine and Michelle and nephews Mark and Brian (Tassady) Turner, Greg (Kristi) and Jim (Rachel) and Paul (Marela Velez) Vassak and 10 grandnieces and nephews, as well as his cousin Vivian (Pat) along with many relations in Ireland and abroad.
On the Hartog side of the family, Kevin was predeceased by his mother-in-law Elsie and father-in-law Dirk and survived by his brothers-in-law Jack (Judit) and Marty (Terri Bennett), and Jan (Peggy), and nieces Marika (Andy) Baxter, Katrina, Elisabeth, Heather, Jessica, Melissa (Dustin) Lotz, and Katie (Steven) Bauer; and nephews Dirk and William; and seven grand nieces and nephews, as well as cousins Alfred (Jodi Groenenboom), Richard (Susan Baggett) Sergel, and Christine Langerhorst, and Ron (Anna) Langerhorst.
A wake will be held on Thursday, May 1, from 4-7 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home at 1036 Boston Post Road, in Rye.
A mass service will be celebrated on Friday, May 2, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection at 910 Boston Post Road in Rye, followed by a private interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rye Brook.
