Charles Edmund Burke

Charles “Ed” Edmund Burke

Born October 1, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ed grew up in Harahan and attended Kehoe Academy High School, where he was a standout football player who held several school records.

Ed is survived by his loving children, Carlie McCall, Kellyn Burke, Cory Burke, and Kacy Burke; his devoted grandchildren, Rylie McCall, Baylie McCall, Brandon Miller, and Sloan Burke; his siblings, Patrick Burke and Kelly Fulham; and his loving mother, Marilyn Broussard. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Monica Frye Burke; his father, Patrick Burke, and his brother, Michael Burke.

College wasn’t in the cards for our dad—he went straight to work, painting houses in New Orleans and doing carpentry jobs with his buddies. Shortly after high school, he met the love of his life, our mother, Monica Frey. “Monc & Ed” were married on October 12, 1985, and that same year moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to start their life together. They welcomed their first child in 1990, and by 1994, they had four beautiful, healthy children.

Dad built a successful trim carpentry business in Atlanta, which flourished until 1996 when our mom was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Our family moved back to Mandeville, Louisiana, to be closer to extended family. Our mom fought bravely until she passed away on September 23, 1999.

After Mom passed, Dad did an incredible job raising the four of us. In 2002, we moved from Louisiana to Virginia, and then returned to Louisiana in 2011, where Dad settled in Covington.

Dad was an adventurer at heart. He was an avid skydiver with over 300 jumps—he could even pack his own parachute. He loved to sail and almost always had a Hobie Cat or some kind of boat ready to take out. He was a certified scuba diver, loved to snow and water ski—if it was thrilling, he was in. At one point, he even attended flight school, learning to fly solo.

Above all, Dad was devoted to us. He never missed a game, a recital, or any milestone. He supported us unconditionally, showing vulnerability and allowing us to be vulnerable too—without judgment. Looking back on our childhood, it’s truly remarkable how he fulfilled all our needs while grieving such a profound loss. When our mom died, it felt like part of him died with her. But now, we believe they’re reunited, and we find peace knowing that our dad is finally at rest.

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