Martin (Bo) Byram Burke, 83, beloved husband to Ellen S. Burke, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024 following an illness. He was born on May 5, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut, son of the late Francis (Greene) Burke and Edmond Burke. Bo was raised in the close-knit village of Rockville. He graduated from Williston Academy (now Williston Northampton School); Colgate University and Albany Law School where he earned his JD in 1963.
Throughout his 54-year legal career, Bo held positions in several law firms, beginning in 1963 with Joe Shapiro in Hamilton, NY where his first case involved the loss of a farmer’s cow. He practiced law at 130 Union Street, Rockville, with the support of a dedicated, kind and loyal staff. Bo was passionate about the law and municipal government, he served in the Connecticut State Legislature in the 1970’s, where among other accomplishments he sponsored the Freedom of Information Act in the House. He also served on the Connecticut Judicial Review Council, the Connecticut Law Revision Commission, as well as serving as the Town Attorney and Assistant Town Attorney over several administrations in Ellington and Vernon. He was known as a lawyer who could get things done and as one who nobly served his profession. Throughout his long and accomplished career he quietly acted as pro bono to many who faced overwhelming legal issues.
Bo held a lifelong passion for Maine and began vacationing there in the mid-’60s, with his family continuing through owning a camp on Flying Pond in Vienna, ME. He relished the peace and tranquility of Maine.
He leaves behind Ellen Schopfer Burke, his wife of 60 years, his sons, Matthew Burke and his wife Melissa Watson and their son Angus Burke of Lisbon Falls, Maine; Jonathan Burke of Bethel, Maine; Andrew Burke and his wife, Ingrid Kessler of Eugene, Oregon and Benjamin Burke and his wife Lauren Burke and their son Sullivan Burke of Portland, Oregon. He also leaves behind his sister, Susan Evans Burke of California and his first cousin Mary Jane Dempsey of Phoenix, AZ.
Bo will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. His family has the deepest gratitude for all who helped Bo including friends and neighbors, A & B Homecare Solutions, Vernon Visiting Nurse and Connecticut Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bo’s memory to Doctors Without Borders.