Ken Burke, lawyer, tree farm owner and plant lover, avid follower of the political scene, recipe enthusiast, and above all a loving spouse, brother and son died peacefully on September 20, 2023. He was 66.

Born in Sault Ste. Marie on June 17, 1957, to John M. Burke and Jean G. Burke (née Mcreath), Ken enjoyed skiing at the Landslide, tennis and sailing at the RYTAC, taking piano lessons from Mrs. Gartshore, attending the Elliot Lake summer school for the Arts and working for Dr. Gordon at the MNR when Ken wasn’t pruning and tending his family’s forest of Christmas trees.

After high school, Ken studied political science at Carleton University earning an honours bachelor of arts degree and then passed up a scholarship at Columbia University to earn a masters in political philosophy from the London School of Economics. Living in London opened a new world of possibilities to Ken and he developed new lifelong passions while there: he never said no to meeting new people, appreciating musical theatre, discovering the vibrant arts scene, learning new languages and exploring the far corners of Europe.

Energized from learning abroad, but with an eye on the practical realities, Ken returned to Canada to study at McGill’s law faculty where he met Richard his life partner and future spouse for some 40+ years and where they each earned their two law degrees together.

After graduation, Ken made Toronto his home and worked as a lawyer for his entire career with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Ken particularly enjoyed the work he did for the international trade finance division of the Bank; he so admired the team, the leadership and he found purpose in the work they did for the Bank’s clients. Outside of his legal practice, Ken loved reading books, experiencing the pristine setting of his parents’ cottage on the rugged shores of Lake Superior at Alona Bay, tackling complex DIY home renovation projects, listening to musical theatre, creating restaurant quality meals at home for dinner parties, taking photos, driving his beloved SLC roadster and traveling, especially to Asia where he became very familiar with both Hong Kong and Bangkok. A safari trek to South Africa and being surrounded by the Big 5 was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream of his. Later in life, Ken spent his summers at his cottage on Dorval Island in Montreal. It was the strong sense of community, the kayaking and the endless effort of maintaining the Secret Garden that made this place so special for him.

Ken valued loyalty, hard work and learning; he was an excellent listener and always made time for his friends. Ken expressed appreciation and gratitude daily for every kind gesture, every service received and for the bounty of nature. Ken was perennially optimistic and saw the good in everyone. His ill health certainly took a toll on his energy levels but it never eroded his enthusiasm for life or his amazement with life’s beauty.

Ken leaves behind his spouse Richard Adams, his brother Gordon Burke and his friends and colleagues. He was deeply loved and is deeply missed.

To offer your sympathy, in lieu of flowers, please consider doing an unexpected act of kindness for someone else while thinking of Ken.

Visitation will be held at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, (375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto) on Sunday September 24, from 2 - 4 p.m. and Monday September 25, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. The service will follow at 12 p.m. on Monday. Interment will take place at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. For more information please visit www.etouch.ca