Mr. Briarsen Burke Sr.

WATERBURY – Mr. Briarsen Alyn Burke, 67, of Waterbury, slipped away from time into eternity on October 31, 2022, after a brief illness. He was the widower of the late Mrs. Wanda L. (McPherson) Burke.

Briarsen was born May 21, 1955, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late Mr. Lawrence and the late Mary Jane (Richardson) Burke. He was a graduate of Wilby High School and attended college in Massachusetts. He began his career as a municipal employee with the City of Waterbury Parking Authority and later retired as an employee of the City’s Public School System. He also was employed for a brief while with the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (Southbury Training School).

Briarsen lived a life of simplicity. Being raised in Grace Baptist Church gave him a foundation upon which he built his entire life. He had a heart of gold; if he could help you, he would do so without a second thought. He lived by the phrase, “What goes around, comes around.” He believed in doing what he could when he could.

Amongst his love for people, his greatest joy was his family. Briarsen took great pride in preparing exquisite meals daily for his family. You would often find him researching new recipes to prepare for his wife, sons, and grandchildren. Being “Grandpa Briar” to his grandchildren was the highlight of his life. You could find him in the kitchen preparing a meal for them or sitting on his front porch patiently awaiting their arrival. His family was his pride and joy. He also loved watching Baseball, Football, and westerns.

Briarsen leaves to cherish his memory two sons, Rev. Briarsen D. Burke, Sr. (Raven) of Glenpool, OK. and Colby Burke of Waterbury, CT; four grandchildren, Braylynn, Brayden, Zi’Yair, and Elijah Burke; father-in-law James McPherson, Sr.; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides his parents, Briarsen was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Wanda L. (McPherson) Burke, and one grandson, Briarsen D. Burke, Jr.

A memorial service for Mr. Briarsen Burke will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Casey Eastside Memorial Funeral Home, 1987 E. Main St. Waterbury, CT, Rev. Willie C. Thompson officiating. The Burke family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the start of service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at New Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. Please visit the funeral home’s tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to write a message. However, if you are able, attending the service is a thoughtful and caring way to show your support.