John Joseph Burke I (1868-1939)

John Joseph Burke I (1868-1939) Laborer (b. December 19, 1868, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, 07307, USA - d. January 18, 1939, Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, 07307, USA)

Parents

 * William Burke (c1842-1919)
 * Margaret Kane (c1834-1912)

Sibling
John Burke had a sister:
 * Mary Ellen Burke (1870-1957) who married Richard B. Patterson II (1869-1930).

Jersey City, New Jersey
John's father, William Burke, operated a milk dealership from his home at 26 Atlantic Avenue, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey.

First marriage
Around 1889 John married Nora M. Finn (1866-1898).

Child
Together they had a daughter: Mary Margaret Burke (1890-1949) aka May Burke, who married Thomas Patrick Norton I (1891-1968).

Death of wife
In 1898 John's wife, Nora died of pneumonia and their daughter, Mary, was then raised by Nora's sister, Catherine Finn. This was a normal occurrence at the turn of the century.

Second marriage
John then married Josephine Smith (1875-1962) aka Josephine Schmidt, in 1899.

Children
Together they had the following children:
 * Bertha Marie Burke (1902-1971) who married Stephen H. Prasky (1897-1965)
 * William Joseph Burke I (1905-1996) who married Eleanor Catherine Outwater (1912-1978)
 * Josephine Veronica Burke (1907-1995) aka May Burke, who married Thomas Patrick Norton I (1891-1968) after her half-sister, Mary Burke, died
 * John Joseph Burke II (1909-1986) aka John Stephen Burke, who married Elizabeth Jones (1909-1958)
 * Margaret Burke (1913-c1971) who married David Thomas Morgan (c1914-c1974) and worked for the IRS
 * Owen John Burke (1915-1984) who never married

Children raised by their aunt
The oral family story was that John's sister, Mary Ellen Burke, was given money in her father's will to be used to educate John's children. The children eventually lived with Mary, and when their father fell on hard times. The boys never felt welcome in her home, and eventually left, and moved back with their dad. The girls stayed in Pennsylvania with their aunt, and were raised there.

Black Jack Burke
John's daughter, Josephine Veronica Burke, called her father "Black Jack Burke" and said "the only things he could do well, were [to] drink and dance".

Later years
John held a series of odd jobs including being a salesman, florist and a chef. He suffered from gout and asthma. His ailments forced him to sleep sitting up in a chair.

Death
He died of "arteriosclerosis and nephritis" on January 18, 1939.

Burial
He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey with his wife Josephine.

Unfinished task
Visit the cemetery to photograph the tombstone if one exists.