Contributions to the tribute of Thomas James Burke

Tribute Wall

Saturday

October

Visitation at Funeral Home

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Weigand Bros., Inc. Funeral Home

49 Hillside Ave.

Williston Park, New York, United States

Saturday

October

Visitation

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Weigand Bros., Inc. Funeral Home

49 Hillside Ave.

Williston Park, New York, United States

Sunday

October

Visitation at Funeral Home

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Weigand Bros., Inc. Funeral Home

49 Hillside Ave.

Williston Park, New York, United States

Sunday

October

Visitation

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Weigand Bros., Inc. Funeral Home

49 Hillside Ave.

Williston Park, New York, United States

Monday

October

Mass

10:00 am

Monday, October 21, 2024

Saint Aidan's R.C. Church

505 Willis Ave.,

Williston Park, New York, United States

Monday

October

Final Resting Place

11:45 am

Monday, October 21, 2024

Holy Rood Cemetery

Old Country Road

Westbury, New York, United States

Tom Kelleher posted a condolence

Saturday, October 19, 2024

I feel really lucky to have known Grandpa in many contexts. Even though for most of my childhood I was part of the family that lived farthest away, I was able to build a bond and relationship with Grandpa and Grandma. When I was young, I remember both the serious and the silly Grandpa. He was practical, a bit critical, and sure to let you know when there was a life lesson to be learned. They would take us to church every Sunday that we visited and modeled for us a deep devotion to their faith. He taught me, at that point when you cross your forehead, mouth, and heart, that you also need to cross you hand and pray for Jesus to be in the works of your hands as well as in your thoughts, words, and the love that you share. These lessons stuck with me through my life. He would take us on adventures on the Subway and show us around New York City as kids. I fondly remember when he took Stephen and I downtown to the World Trade Center and a few of us to see my first Broadway show, Les Mis, one of the seminal moments of my theater journey. I had the privilege of living with Gram and Gramp as I came to call them and continued learning life lessons including when to pursue an argument and when to let it go. I spent countless nights sitting around the dining table playing Canasta, Kings in the corner, and Rummycube, laughing with the two of them and getting to know them as the people that they were and not them as the matriarch and patriarch of the family. We would have fun dinners, like Grandma's Steak, and Grandpa's caramelized onions and hotdogs. They would give me advice and wouldn't shy away from letting me know when to wise up. We continued to go to church every Sunday and it was at this time I noticed that Grandpa had a photo of the whole family in his daily devotional. He prayed for our success, our joy, and much more. I think we can all attest to at least a handful of his prayers coming through. They were so sweet, so kind, and came to respect me which helped me to respect myself and see the worth that I had to give to the world and the people around me. Over the fifteen years that have passed since I lived with them, the stubborn and hardened edges that defined much of the person that Grandpa could be at times softened him into the Grandpa that I will remember, the one who accepted help, was still sharp with his memory, kind with his words and interested in our lives. I sat down with him at one point during the later part of the pandemic with one mission, to listen to his stories. He walked me through parts of his childhood marked with adventure and entrepreneurship, he told me about his father who would come and watch him run yelling "GOOOO TOMMY!" from the fence that he was standing on, he told me about his time training in the army, and about his love story with Grandma and a dance he took her to. I've learned so much about life from Grandpa! I learned to not let the challenges in life define you, to remain ever curious, to always ask questions, to love your family and to make the necessary sacrifices for them, and to be kind! We spent one new year's eve as kids with Grandma and Grandpa, and at midnight, Grandpa took me out to the front stoop of the house in Flushing and told me it was a tradition to literally bang pots and pans and yell happy new year at the top of your lungs. I am remembering him in this silly, cheer filled beautiful moment now as I celebrate the beautiful long life that he lived! I see Grandma and Grandpa in each and everyone of us and celebrate them both for the lives they lived!

Lisa W Nolan Posted Oct 20, 2024 at 5:11 PM

This is a beautiful tribute to your special and loving Grandpa. Our condolences to the entire family and especially to Tom and his family. Lisa and Phil Nolan

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Weigand Brothers Inc.

49 Hillside Avenue
Williston Park
NY
11596

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Fax: (516) 746-6621

Thomas James Burke

1927 - 2024

Visitation at Funeral Home

Visitation

Visitation at Funeral Home

Visitation

Mass

Final Resting Place

Weigand Brothers Inc.