PEI Curling Hall of Fame member Lorn Burke passes away at age 86

J. E. Lorn “Luker” Burke, a PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum member, the father of Kathie Gallant, also a Hall of Fame member, and grandfather of reigning world champion curler Brett Gallant, passed away Tuesday at the age of 86. His brother Art is also a Hall of Fame member. 

Here is the funeral announcement:

Peacefully at Beach Grove Home on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 of J. E. Lorn “Luker” Burke of Charlottetown, age 86 years, a long-time employee of Sears.

Beloved husband of Beryl Burke (nee Beagan) and dear father to Kathie Gallant, Lorna DesRoches (Donald) and Cheryl Dillon (Bill). Also survived by grandchildren Brett Gallant, Chantelle DesRoches, Mathieu DesRoches, Daniel Dillon and Mark Dillon, brothers Art Burke (Bev), Cy Burke (Bernadette) and sister Shirley Doyle (Ray). Predeceased by his parents Anthony and Julie “Lillie” (nee Gallant) Burke, Frank and Clarence Burke and sister Mary Ryan.

Resting at the Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home from where visitation and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. If so desired, donations may be made to KidSport PEI or the PEI Alzheimer’s Society. Online condolences may be made at www.islandowned.ca

Photo: Lorn Burke and his daughter Kathie Gallant at the 2011 PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum induction ceremony, holding portraits drawn by Wayne Wright.

Here is his biography from the 2011 PEI Curling Hall of Fame induction ceremony:

Lorn “Luker” Burke

Lorn Burke began an impressive career of competing in provincial and national curling events when, in 1967, he played second stone for Dr.Wen MacDonald’s team at the first Canada Winter Games held in Quebec City. At that time, the Games’ competition was a mixed team event, with no age limit.

Lorn continued on to compete in no less than 17 more national and two Maritime competitions.

In 1970, he won the PEI Men’s Curling Championship, playing lead with the Art Burke team. Other team members were George Dillon and Joe Saunders and they represented the province at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship (MacDonald Brier) in Winnipeg.

Lorn was a member of three PEI Seniors Men’s Curling Championship teams. In 1986, with Lorn as skip, Walter Lund, John Stewart, and Norm MacNeill, they represented the province in Portage la Prairie at the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship. Playing lead in 1989, Lorn Burke joined with skip Doug Cameron, third Robert Dillon and second John Stewart to win his second PEI Senior Men’s’ Curling Championship. In 1996, Lorn skipped his provincial winning team of Ernie Diamond, Phillip Perry, and Myron MacKay in the Canadian Senior Men’s Curling Championship held in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Lorn won three PEI Legion Regular Curling Championships.  In 1978, he skipped his team of Hugh Montague, Joe Saunders, and Albert Mosher.  In 1981, he played third for Gerry (Soupie) Campbell, and in 1984, he skipped again, with Boyde White, Joe Saunders, and John Stewart.

Lorn enjoyed his greatest success as a curler as a ten-time winner of the PEI Senior Legion Curling Championships – in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, going on to compete at the Canadian Senior Legion Curling Championships each year. He skipped seven times and played third the other three times.

In 1986, in London Ontario, Lorn won the Canadian Senior Legion Championship and was the recipient of the all-star skip award. Other team members that year were Bud Lund, Bill Acorn, and John Stewart.

Lorn won the PEI Masters Curling Championship in 1993, playing third for Bud Lund. They went on to win the Maritime Masters Championship that year, held in Charlottetown, with an unbeaten record. With the same team, they were runners-up in the Provincial Masters in 1994, and also the runners-up in the Maritime Masters that year.

Lorn coached his grandson Brett Gallant up until 2003, assisting in his development as an outstanding junior curler.

Lorn was also involved in hockey, harness racing and golf, but it is curling that was his main sport and we are here tonight to honour his accomplishments as he is inducted into the Hall of Fame as a curler.

 

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