Edwin J. "Eddie" Burke, Jr.

Mr. Edwin J. “Eddie” Burke Jr., of Waltham, died Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Lahey Hospital in Burlington surrounded by his loving family. He was 81.

Eddie was born in Newton on January 5, 1945, a son of the late Edwin J. and Dorothy J. (Doucette) Burke. Raised in Waltham, Eddie graduated from Waltham High School in 1963 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after. He served his country honorably during the Vietnam War, fighting the Viet Cong on Hill 55 southwest of Da Nang, where he earned two Purple Hearts for wounds sustained in combat. Upon returning home, he continued his education, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from Boston State College, now part of UMass Boston.

Eddie began his career in law enforcement as a deputy with the Middlesex County Sheriff's Department, during which time he was selected for and graduated from the FBI National Academy, FBINA 187, in Quantico, Virginia. After fifteen years with the Sheriff's Department, he joined the U.S. Marshals Service working as a Security Officer at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston where he served for another twelve years before his retirement in 2013.

In addition to his law enforcement roles, Edwin dedicated himself to event security, leading the start line athlete security team for the Boston Athletic Association Marathon for thirty-one years, providing security at the start line for the Falmouth Road Race for forty-one years, and overseeing security at the finish line for the Jimmy Fund Walk, which held a special place in his heart. He was also involved in many road races throughout Massachusetts, offering his experience and mega-phone wherever needed. If you knew Ed, you were the proud owner of a road race T-shirt.

Cancer touched Eddie's life deeply; he battled malignant melanoma himself, and it struck his family too. He lost his precious daughter, Jessica, at the age of three and he turned that pain into purpose, raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund to help children fighting the disease.

He was a life member of the PFC John M. Sullivan VFW Post 10334 in Waltham, a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, and a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club.

He married Rita (O'Loughlin) Burke, and they built a life together in Waltham, while also enjoying their summer home in Freedom, New Hampshire, for the past twenty years. Ed enjoyed sitting by Ossipee Lake patiently waiting for Rita to return from a kayak ride. A devoted dog lover who would give the shirt off his back to help anyone in need, Eddie found simple pleasures in solving Sudoku puzzles, enjoying a glass of wine with Rita on their deck, keeping up with the news, and proudly calling himself a weather aficionado and enthusiast. He was a fierce protector of those he loved, adored his siblings who could often be found around his table and has been described as a Legend, a True Patriot and Hero. He was a lifelong fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and a Hawks Superfan. He was so proud and grateful to Mike & Meeghan for the beautiful family they created. They were his pride and joy. Above all, he cherished time with his family and found his greatest joy in his grandchildren, whom he adored. He was their #1 fan. Eddie lived by the simple credo his father passed down: “Politeness is to do and say the kindest thing in the kindest way.” He often said he was a blessed man.

Edwin was predeceased by his daughter, Jessica Michelle Burke and his sister, Mary Catherine Burke.

Caleigh and Ella no doubt greeted him with wagging tails at the rainbow bridge.

He leaves his beloved wife, Rita (O’Loughlin) Burke; his Children Waltham Police Sergeant Michael P. Burke and his wife Lisa of Waltham, and Meeghan L. Stone and her husband Nashua Police Sergeant James of Waltham; his grandchildren Michael Burke Jr., Caitlyn Burke, Keira Stone, and Caroline Stone; his siblings Thomas F. Burke and his wife Marilyn of Waltham, John M. “Jack” Burke and his wife Lois of Glen, NH, Richard B. Burke and his wife Mary of Waltham, Robert Burke and his wife Nancy of Waltham, and Deborah A. Melchiorri and her husband Anthony of Waltham. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Eddie’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 16th at Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne on Tuesday, January 20th at 10:45 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.