Longtime PHWFF volunteer and mentor Lawrence Burke passed away on June 2, 2019. Those who had the pleasure of his company will always cherish the impact he had on their life.  He will be deeply missed by all in our Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing family.  Our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.

From the Community Advocate in Westborough, MA:

Northborough – Lawrence Burke, 66, passed away unexpectedly June 2, 2019 while fly fishing in upstate New York.

Larry leaves his wife of 43 years, Debra C. (Bodah) Burke; two daughters whom he was most proud of, Caitlyn Merry and her husband Matthew of Peterborough, N.H. and Meghann McCollem and her husband Brett of Westford; three precious grandchildren, Elliot, Isla, and Abigail; two brothers, James Burke and his wife Linda of Hudson and Thomas Burke and his wife Linda of Chester, N.H.; a sister, Mary Ellen Vincent of Clinton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was born and raised in Clinton, a son to the late Thomas P. and Esther M. (Hughes) Burke. He graduated from Clinton High School, class of 1971. Larry earned his Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Clark University and his MBA from Nichols College.

He worked for most of his career as an accountant at Thermo Electron in Waltham serving as a controller for several New England power plants. After retirement, Larry found enjoyment as a customer service associate at Orvis in Dedham and later at Cabela’s in Hudson.

Larry was known for his big heart and generous spirit. He volunteered for many years as a mentor with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. and was a member of Trout Unlimited and New England Fly Tyers. He enjoyed the great outdoors and found pleasure in sharing it with his family through ice skating, snowshoeing, fishing and boating, trips to Martha’s Vineyard, and vacations to Ogunquit, Maine.

A funeral will be held Monday, June 10, at 10 a.m., at the Church of the Nativity, 45 Howard St., Northborough. There are no public calling hours. Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough, is assisting the Burke family with arrangements.

Please consider a donation in Larry’s memory to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Mail checks with “In memory of Larry Burke” in the memo line to P.O. Box 695, LaPlata, MD 20646 or donate online at www.projecthealingwaters.org.

To leave a condolence or to share a story, visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.