Farm Journal

Thoughts and images from life at Foster Road

Entry: November 13, 2009

Journal Entries

Farewell to a Good Man

Yesterday, on a fine November morning, we buried our dearest Uncle Bill at a hillside cemetery next to his mother and father. Bill died just one day shy of his 93rd birthday, at home where he wanted to be. I last saw him the evening before he passed, sitting in his favorite chair with a steaming cup of tea in the warm light of his reading lamp. It is one of the many fond ways I will remember him.

William James Burke was born in County Cork Ireland and moved to the Sates with his parents at age eleven. He spent his life in service, first to his new homeland in WWII and later as a hospital custodian, caring for others through the humblest of occupations.

He lived a spare life, never occupying more than an efficiency apartment. He never had fame or the kudos that come from notable work. But he considered himself to be very fortunate. "I've been lucky that things have always gone my way." he said shortly before he died. Through his lifetime of fruglity, he earned complete financial ease for his later years.

Uncle Bill had the true and rare gifts of gentleness, patience, humility, generosity, and kindness. He was a man out of sync with these power-driven times, but he was far more content than anyone else I know.

We gathered as a family to say goodby to our uncle, and we were heartend to meet people who had been touched by him.

Later, my cousins Dave and Steve joined me and my brother Kevin for a quick tour of the renovations. Their encouraging words were great to hear, and I feel lucky in "my people." Goodspeed, Uncle Bill. You are surely now in the company of angels.