Obituary of Charles F. Burke Jr.

Vernon Center - Charles F. Burke Jr., of State Route 26 passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 90, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, with his loving and devoted family at his side. He was born on April 11, 1935 in Rome, New York, son of the late Charles F. Sr. and Helen (Kielbasa) Burke. He was a lifelong resident of Vernon Center and attended the Vernon Schools. Charlie was united in marriage to the former Elaine Sharrow in 1978 and joined their two families: Charle's son Mark Burke and daughter Rhonda (Burke) Hummer and Elaine's son Jeffrey Sprague and daughter Krista (Sprague) Wayland-Smith. Together they had a son Tim Burke. Charlie valued and enjoyed work and spent his career in the trades, beginning at local farms and later employed in construction. He spoke fondly of assisting with the creation of Glimmerglass State Park in the 1960's. Charlie finished his career as the Town of Vernon Highway Superintendent, an elected position that he held for 34 years until his retirement in 2007. Outside of work he continuously utilized his natural sense of engineering design coupled with his master carpentry skills. He built both his home and garage on Route 26, the family camp on Lonesome Bay in Raquette Lake and many smaller buildings and structures on both his and family properties. He enjoyed nature, spending many hours at his wood lot on Marble Road in Vernon Center hunting and cutting firewood. He also enjoyed buying and selling anything with a motor; vehicles, tractors, heavy equipment, etc. Spending time with his large family was a source of joy in his later years, both at his home and during the warmer months at the family camp. Charlie was proud of the fact he was viewed as a person who family and friends could depend on for philosophical and practical advice. Surviving is his wife Elaine of Vernon Center, his children Rhonda (Scott) of Madison, Jeffrey (Michele) of Wheeling, WV, Krista (Marc) of Oneida and Tim (Nicole) of Sherrill, eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Also survived by former wife Arlene (Simmons) Wagner, mother of Mark and Rhonda. Charlie was predeceased by his parents, son Mark Burke, sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Bristol and Mary Jane Eaton and brother Richard Burke. In keeping with Charlie's wishes there will be no public calling hours. Private graveside services will be held for the family in Vernon Center Cemetery, Vernon Center, NY. Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com