J. Michael Burk

If Mike was missing it was almost certain he’d have a rod in his hand, standing next to his best friend, Squid. But it was never about actually catching the fish. In fact, his wife usually played it safe and thawed some chicken. His collection of fishing reels that he acquired from eBay and Columbus Market numbered in hundreds. If you couldn’t get along with Mike, you couldn’t get along with anyone. He never spoke a cross word and didn’t have a mean bone in his body.rnrnThough he wasn’t the bubbly type of parent, he gave many whisker rubs to his kids and grandkids and if he said he was going to go something he could always be counted on. He probably shouldn’t have had any Wendy’s Frosties, but he was just “sharing” them with his granddaughter.rnrnOne night at a bar he met woman named Tonee (nee Doyle). He tried to win her over by buying her a drink, but no luck. Even though sparks didn’t fly right away she agreed to meet him again: dinner, “Little Shop of Horrors” and a ride home on a flat tire, but somehow it just worked. Perhaps it was the fact that his quiet nature was complimented by Tonee’s outgoing one. He was the Father of Joseph (Cheryl), Michael (Siobhan), and John (Jamie); step-father of J.R., Virginia, Matthew (Marie), Dyan (Jason) McDermott; brother of John (Cathey), Lynn (Buddy) Maurer, Mary-Jo (John) LaBarge; son of Mary Burk and the late John; grandfather of Larry, Cory, Hannah, Dominique, Brienna, Sarah, Mallory, Stella, and Logan. His support group included his extended family, friends and his pound puppy, Lizzie.rnrnCome celebrate 61 angling years at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside Thursday 8-10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd (St. Peter’s site), Riverside. Interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Donations to American Diabetes Association. P.O Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 will be appreciated.rn –