UTICA/ROME -- Calling hours will take place tomorrow evening for Tom Burke, a former radio personality who owned his own Utica-area advertising agency and DJ business. Burke, known for singing many of his clients' jingles himself, was 45 years old. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Burke's company, Burke Media and Entertainment, is comprised of The Dee Jay Network and Adventures in Advertising. According to his obituary, Burke also played guitar in a duo called Piano Man & Company, and "was recently involved in a four piece band." Burke graduated from Oriskany High School in 1983 before attending MVCC and graduating from Utica College in 1988.
Visitation will be from 4-7pm at Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral Home, 40 Main Street in Whitesboro. A memorial service will follow at 7:00. Burial at Oriskany Cemetery will take place in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for an education fund for Tom & Dawn Burke's children. Donations can be mailed to 100 Garretts Grove, Whitesboro, NY 13492. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.
In addition to his wife and children, Tom Burke is survived by his mother, two siblings and their spouses, two nieces and a nephew.
Thanks to an anonymous CNYRadio.com reader who used the Contact Form to express surprise that I hadn't posted a story earlier. Whoever you are, I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. My sincerest apologies for not posting a story sooner; honestly, your note was the first I had heard of Tom's passing; the delay in posting this story was not intentional. My deepest sympathies go out to Tom's family, friends and colleagues.