Wilbert Henry Burke

Mr. Wilbert Henry Burke, beloved son of the late Mr. William Burke Sr. and Mrs. Mazie Burke, and the stepson of the late Mr. John Garrison Sr., was born on August 29, 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this on Monday, January 27, 2003.He attended Saint Pius Catholic School and Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Wilbert went into the U.S. Air Force on his seventeenth birthday; he earned a degree in business administration, and was honorably discharged after six years of service. He drove streetcars and buses for Baltimore Transit. Wilbert then went on to work for the U. S. Postal Service for 33 years. In 1980 he was named Postmaster of Annapolis, Maryland, the first black person to hold the position.With his wife Clementine and their children, he moved to Elmira, New York where he was also the postmaster and later to Fairport, New York where Wilbert was promoted to District Director of the Empire District. He retired from the Postal Service in 1986, and moved back to his hometown of Baltimore.Wilbert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; he adored his grandchildren immensely. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, which the family also shared in. Even after retiring Wilbert stayed busy by working from his home.Wilbert leaves to cherish his memory and his loss; his wife, Clementine; their children, William A. burke, Enrique L. Burke, Michael E. Burke, Rojeria D. Graham, Roddrick Robinson of Baltimore, and Mark G. Robinson of Colorado Springs, Colorado (son, Wilbert Howard Burke preceded him in death); seven grandchildren, Sheron Lee, William E. Burke of North Carolina, Brittany Burke, Shanda Burke, India S. Burke, Asia S. Burke, and Mikala Burke all of Baltimore; two great-granddaughters, Shatiara Whitaker and Lakibria Lee of Baltimore; five sisters, Mrs. Etlow Echols, Mrs. Ella Smith, Mrs. Catherine Purdie, Mrs. Monica Murray, all of Baltimore and Mrs. India Price of Colorado (sisters, Mrs. Leona Martin and Mrs. Naomi Gross preceded him in death); one brother, Anthony Garrison (brothers, John Garrison Jr. and William Burke Jr. preceded him in death); and a host of nieces, nephews, and other living relatives and friends.

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Wilbert Henry Burke

August 29, 1934 - January 27, 2003