Richard F. Burke, 81, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, February 11, 2022.  He was the son of Richard F. Burke and Margaret Kenney of Brockton, Massachusetts.  Richard was a veteran of the United States Army, having proudly served his country.  Upon returning from his service in the Army, he fell in love with Carole J. Fantini of Haverhill Massachusetts.  After marrying Carole, he attended and graduated from New Hampshire College in the Computer Engineering field.  He spent most of his career as an engineer at Sanders Associates, also known as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.  He worked on classified missile defense systems.  Later in his career he negotiated foreign contracts.  When asked what he did for work, his favorite response, said with a grin and a twinkle in his eye, was, "If I tell you, I'd have to kill you."

Richard enjoyed traveling with his family, dinning out with Carole, fishing and boating with his son-in-law Kirk and skiing the mountains of New Hampshire.  He enjoyed making people laugh and spending time with his friends in Naples, Florida.  Richard had a way of making people around him feel special, valued and comfortable.  Richard loved animals and could always be found with treats in his pockets for every animal he met.  Yet his favorite thing to do was to spend time with his granddaughters, Alexandria and Gabriella.  When they were young, he enjoyed many adventures with them; traveling to several countries, riding camels, being lowered into a dormant volcano and exploring glacial tunnels.  As they got older, he enjoyed talking with them about their careers, the latest technology gadgets, giving them advice and making them laugh.  When he made them laugh, the whole world was going to be okay in his mind.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Carole Fantini Burke, his loving daughter, Whitney J. Burke and her husband, J. Kirk Trombley.  He also leaves his beloved granddaughters, Alexandria Trombley and Gabriella Trombley, along with Alexandria's fiancé Bradley Carlson.  He will be missed by his sister, Deborah Kulick, his sister-in-law and brother in-law Gaile and Jack Mooradian and his niece Michelle Johnston, and her husband Barry Johnston and their son, Cason and many loving cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his niece Cindi Mooradian.

Relatives and friends are invited to call Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Anne's Church, Emerson Avenue, Hampstead, NH. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard's name to either the Atkinson Elder Services or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a special memory, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com