Neville Burke

My project “Building the Wave” began soon after I moved to the (British) Virgin Islands. Inevitably this meant that some of the people who would fall into my category of ‘builders before the wave’ could not be interviewed for a number of reasons. Once such person was Neville Burke who died in October 2016. In such cases I have endeavoured, for the sake of completeness, to include something about these people. Fortunately an obituary was published which is reproduced below.

Death Announcement
Family Announces Passing
of Mr. Neville Burke

Monday September 26, 2016.   The Burke’s Family regrets to announce the passing of our patriarch Mr. Neville Burke, founder of Burke’s Garage Ltd., located on Wickham’s Cay II, Tortola.

He succumbed at Peeble’s Hospital on Saturday September 24, 2016 after a prolonged illness.

The late Neville Burke was born in 1940 in Antigua and Barbuda and migrated to the Virgin Islands, UK, more than 50 years ago.

He established Burke’s Garage in 1973.  Over the years, the garage developed into one of the leading service centres for all makes of vehicles; selling parts and accessories; and becoming the exclusive dealers for Nissan, Subaru and Land Rover.  He also founded ItGo Car Rentals.

Mr. Burke is survived by his wife Ethlyn, children Bradley, Alicia, Theodore, Benaiah, and Felicia, and several grandchildren.

He will be remembered as a wonderful and caring husband, father, grandfather and relative, a successful businessman and a great friend and role model.

The condolences have been pouring int to the family and on the Facebook Page for Burke’s Garage, as people remember him as “one of the most caring and thoughtful men”, “ Mr. Burke has run the good race and is remembered for his service to God, love to his family and kind smile to all who met him” and “ a great man”.

Please refer to https://www.facebook.com/BurkesGarage/posts/1088134247949327:0

The late Neville Burke will be sorely missed by his family, business associates, friends and his church family.  He was a Deacon at the New Life Baptist Church.
The Burke Family thanks everyone for the outpouring of overwhelming support during this time of their bereavement.

Published in The Island Sun.  Saturday 1 October 2016: 4.

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