Person Page 649

Thomas Duffy was born on November 16, 1909 in Belfast, Belfast, Northern IrelandG. He and Frances Marie McGovern were married. He died on June 18, 1990, at age 80, in New ZealandG.

(Research):Went to New Zealand in 1927 with his father's brother, Uncle Michael and his family.

Edward Jordan and Patricia Finnegan were married.

Frances Marie McGovern was born on May 30, 1908 in Wellington, New ZealandG. She and Thomas Duffy were married. She died in 1994, at age ~86, in Wellington, New ZealandG.

Thomas Burke died in 1964.

Michael Burke was born in 1939 in Manchester, EnglandG. He died on December 2, 2007, at age ~68, in Claremorris, Mayo, IrelandG.

Michael Burke, Newtown, Claremorris. THE death took place peacefully on December 2, 2007, at his home, and after a long illness, of Michael Burke, Newtown, Claremorris. Michael was born in Manchester in 1939. His family returned to Ireland during the war years, initially to Balla and then bought a holding of land and a house in Newtown in 1947.
From his early days it was evident that Michael had a great love of the land and of the building trade. Over the years, Michael and his mother Bridget worked many a long day on the farm. In those times, Michael's brothers emigrated but he stayed at home and, through his great knowledge of engineering and the trades, he helped build up the old house to the home that it is today.

Michael started work with Mayo County Council before spending a time with John Balfe, a local Claremorris builder. One of the first buildings that Michael used his stone masonry skills on was the old technical school on Convent Road, Claremorris. The finery of the stone work can still be seen to this very day on this building.

He started his career with CIE in the mid 1960s. Over the years, he had stints in Galway but was based mainly in Claremorris until his retirement in 2004. His stone building skills are to be seen throughout the Connacht counties through his work with CIE on the railway bridges. He was called out to many an emergency where a bridge would have been damaged in an accident.

Michael took great satisfaction from the work he did and always used perfect planning and workmanship to compete a first class job. He was always willing to lend a hand and his skills to friends and neighbours over the years and there are many a fireplace or a front porch in houses where Michael left his mark.

He took a keen interest in current affairs and followed events on both the local and national stage. He also enjoyed watching all sport and films. But Michael derived the greatest satisfaction from putting on his best suit and heading off for a pint or two in Claremorris, playing games of darts, cards and pool while mixing with the locals.
From the mid 1990s until his illness, Michael and other family members enjoyed a number of holidays in the US where he spent many a good and memorable occasions.
After retirement, he had planned for a lot more trips abroad and to use his stonemason skills to build fireplaces, stone walls and many more works for family and friends. But, sadly, illness struck all too soon. He fought it with courage and bravery and never once complained of the fate he had to endure.

His passing evoked much sadness and he will be greatly missed by his family and many loyal friends.

Removal took place from St Colman's Funeral Home to Claremorris with burial in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon, assisted by Fr Tommy Mannion and Fr John Murray.

Michael, who was predeceased by his father James and brother Tommy, will be sadly missed by his mother Bridget, sisters Mary Hession (Claremorris), Breege Joyce (Keelogues), Catherine McAndrew (Killala) and Ann Burke (Chicago), brothers Joe Burke (Manchester) and Peter Burke (Chicago), first cousin Tony McGing and his wife Edel and family, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews in Ireland, the UK and America. Rest in peace, Michael.