Retired Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Warner Burke (fondly referred to as "St. Patrick"), US Army Ranger, passed away 13 December 2017 at his residence surrounded by loved ones.

Born 1 March 1929 to Michael Burke and Doris Warner Burke, Patrick was raised in the historic neighborhood of Carrollton in New Orleans, LA. He married the love of his life, Eileen Virginia Mack, on 8 February 1958 in Decatur, GA. As all good Catholic's did during this era, they had many children - 6 in all. The Colonel enlisted in the Army in 1951 and served in many countries, including Korea 5th RCT (regimental combat team), Vietnam (ASA and military special ops unit, where he was exposed to Agent Orange), Thailand and Germany. His military career of 22 years included recognition of honorable service by being awarded many medals and badges of honor (Bronze Star Medal (BSM-Heroic Service), (Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), The National Defense Service (NDSM), United Nations Service Medal Korea (UNSM), Korean Service Medal (KSM), ROC PUK, Parachutist Badge, The Ranger Tab, Good Conduct Medal (GCM), Army Commendation Medal, (ARCOM), Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Legion of Merit, Overseas Service Bar (O/S Bar). He was a proud member of the Outpost Harry Survivors Association (WE HELD!), The 5th RCT and The Irish Heritage Society of America.

The Colonel loved the adventure of sailing in the Gulf of Mexico, antiquing in corner shops of Europe and America, absorbed reading all books relating to history, proudly wearing plaid trousers, sipping a Yuengling Beer at lunch and a martini before dinner, Cuban cigars, listening to Celtic and Scottish Bagpipe music, and of course, watching the annual football rivalry between Army and Navy. The 2017 outcome had Army beat Navy by one point: Army 14 Navy 13 - Whoo-ah!

St. Patrick was what the Irish call "a sound man" – deeply proud of his service to his country, a great sense of humor and a true gentleman of the old school. Friends were always welcome and he was as loyal a friend as could be found. He was a proud and devoted Catholic. He supported many Catholic, military donations and other charities through the years. He will be missed by family and friends alike. He would find comfort in knowing that the "Sunday Crew" would carry on the weekly gathering of sipping martinis and conversing with much humor over the week's past events.

He is preceded by his parents; two siblings, Jerry and Joan; his loving wife, Eileen, and their son, Connor. Patrick is survived by his daughters, Nora, Kerry and Tara; sons, Shannon and Michael; daughter-in-laws, Karen and Nilay; grandchildren; Kathryn Eileen and Devon Patrick; beloved cousins, Joan Kissinger and Jackie White.

A celebration of life will follow in the spring when the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping. Dia Speen go dtí go gcasfar le chéile sinn arís (God Speed until we meet again) Colonel Burke.

"Of all the comrades that e'er I had / They are sorry for my going away /And all the sweethearts that e'er I had / They would wish me one more day to stay / But since it falls unto my lot / That I should rise and you should not / I'll gently rise and I'll softly call Good night and joy be with you all" - Ed Sheeran The Partying Glass