Charles Burke

Much loved son of the late John and the late Catherine (Frasemer) Burke. Dear brother of the late Jack (the late Lois) Burke and the late Mary (the late Einer) Jonland. Devoted husband for almost 68 years to the late Donna (MacKenzie) Burke, who passed just 134 days prior. Loving father of Kelly (Jim) Michie, Tammi (Stephen) Dawson, Dawn (Kurt) Irelan, the late Kerry Burke, the late Shannon Burke, and Erin (Jerry Reed) Burke.Cherished "Grandpa" to Brian Michie, Tyler Michie, and Daniel Michie. Cherished "Grandfather" to Timothy (Claire) Dawson, Christian (Erin Walta) Dawson. Cherished "Papa" to Kwin (Jeff) Martini, Mackenzie Irelan, Nolan (Michelle) Irelan, Michael (Kathleen) Schumacher, and Shay (Mario) Baregi. Proud great grandfather of Theo and Isla Dawson, Brooks and Hayes Martini, and Freya Walta. Treasured uncle of several nieces and nephews. Respected friend of many.

Chuck was born in Chicago to a loving family as the youngest of three children. He attended St. Genevieve Grade School, Forman High School, and Wright Junior College. He served as a cook in the United States Army from October of 1951 until September of 1953, exiting with a rank of PFC(T).With his strong sense of humor, Chuck would later say that the Army wanted to give him a metal for his time as a cook because after the men ate his food they wanted to go out and kill someone. Chuck was a man of calm manner, good humor, and as a true Irishman, he was never without a story to tell! He eventually became a proud Union Pipefitter, a career he loved, for over 40 years. He enjoyed teaching the new fitters, he called "puppies” and always took pride in a job well done. His love for metal working lasted well into his later life.

Upon his return from the Army and competing and galivanting around Europe Chuck returned home to discover that his younger cousin’s “pesky little friend” who he had known for years, fellow speedskater Donna MacKenzie, had grown into a beautiful, feisty, young lady and they soon began to date. This was a dream come true for Donna as she had been in love with him for years! On May 18, 1957, Chuck and Donna were married at Holy Name Cathedral and began their married life together. In 1962 Chuck and Donna moved their brood to Northbrook, Illinois, where, having lost two of their daughters as babies, they raised their 4 daughters in the neighborhood of Northbrook West and formed lifelong friends over the 50 years they resided there. Their relationship was a beautiful union, one of equality, respect, support, and a deep love that was, and still is, an inspiration to all those who know them.

Chuck was destined from the beginning to end up on skates as he was born into a family wherein his father was a speed skater, and his siblings were figure skaters in the Ice Follies. He had many successes in his skating career, but he was always most proud of competing as a long-distance skater on the 1952 and 1956 Olympic teams in Oslo, Norway and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy respectively. After his competitive days, his love for the sport continued in the form of coaching. Chuck, along with his wife Donna, were instrumental in establishing the Northbrook Speed Skating Club in 1952, an organization that has thrived throughout the years and continues to be successful to this day. In his over 60 years of coaching, he not only taught in Northbrook but also spent decades at the Park Ridge Speed Skating Club and the Franklin Park Speed Skating Club. Throughout his long coaching career he had the opportunity to coach his daughter, grandsons, and a few nephews, with one who went on to also become an Olympic Speedskater.

Chuck was inducted to the US Speedskating Hall of Fame on May 18, 1997, which, incidentally, was his and Donna's 40 Wedding Anniversary. He is also an Olympic Hall of Fame and Northbrook Speedskating Hall of Fame member and every year the Northbrook Speed Skating Club holds The NorthBurke Open meet in honor of the contributions and dedication of Chuck and Donna Burke. His enjoyment of the ice also included figure skating and barrel jumping. As one of the "Barrel Busters" he could be seen jumping over pyramids of barrels and through hoops of fire! Chuck's racing was not limited to the ice, however, as he also excelled as a completive road and track bicycle racer. These sports brought his family many cherished and lifelong friends who became chosen family.

Chuck was a fan of racing of any kind. He especially enjoyed sports car racing and took the family on an annual camping trip to Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI, where good times were abundant and many memories were made. Chuck and Donna owned property at Lake Summerset near Rockford, IL, where years of camping, sailing, beach bumming, and excursions filled the days for his family and their friends. They were fortunate enough to be able to do a good amount of traveling which included packing the family of 6 into a van towing a camper and road tripping it out to California in 1970 and to Colorado circa 1979 as well as a trip to Italy with their friends and a voyage to Iceland to visit Donna's relatives. Sailing held a special place in Chuck's heart and later in life he and Donna would take annual sailboat trips in and around the Caribbean.

A hard working, fun, entertaining and adventurous chap, Chuck was a gentle soul and a devoted family man. His family was his pride and joy, he loved them immensely and they loved him back equally.

Chuck will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, but he will live on in the hearts and memories of the many people influenced by him.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 3:00pm until 9:00pm with a Remembrance Ceremony at 7:00pm at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL, 60131.
A Prayer Service will take place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 11:00am at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL, 60131.
Interment at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL, 60016, will follow the Prayer Service.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to visit U.S. Speedskating's Athlete Support Program at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/u-s-speedskating/donor-funded-athletes-support-program  and make a donation in Chuck's name.