Myles "Mike" Roy Burke

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of MYLES ROY “MIKE” BURKE, 93, of Taylorsville, Utah, in the early evening hours of July 4, 2026, during what was to be a short stay at St. Joseph’s Villa in Salt Lake City.

Myles was born on August 6, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, to James Joseph Burke and Yvonne Clare (Tremblay) Burke. He attended high school at Mount Carmel Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, where he began training to become Father Fallon. After discerning he was not called to the priesthood, he left the seminary and finished high school at St. Mary’s Academy in Dunkirk, New York. There he met his soon-to-be wife, Dolores Marie Gautcher. Myles and Dolores were married on July 26, 1952.

Myles and Dolores began their life together as Myles entered the U.S. Air Force, where he trained as a Russian translator near Monterey, California. Their first child, a daughter, Sharon Renee, was born. The family of three moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where “Mike” was stationed for the next few years. While there, they welcomed another daughter, Claudia Jean.

After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Myles and Dolores settled on the South Side of Chicago and were blessed with five more children: son, Thomas James; daughter, Carolyn Ann; and sons Michael Joseph, David Myles, and James Jennings. While raising a growing family, Myles also worked diligently to secure his educational and career goals by attending night school and earning an undergraduate degree and, later, a master’s degree in marketing from DePaul University. He worked primarily in the poultry business in sales and marketing management, first with Swift & Company in Chicago and later in Salt Lake City, where he finished his career with Norbest. He was extremely well-versed in the business of supplying our supermarkets with turkey products and all things related to turkeys. His turkey impression was hilarious.

Myles was much more than a purveyor of turkeys. He was a husband and Dad. He was light-hearted and was fun to be around. He leaves a legacy of humor and will be remembered for making others laugh and have a good time. He loved to joke and entertain his children and their friends with stories. Some of these antics are the stuff of legend, and much hilarity is still associated with them. Dad, “Achi malunga, bratezy booberthane, bundydun,” and all the “Foot-Foot” stories, will be with us for our entire lives. We thank you for those memories.

Myles had a strong faith in God. He served as an altar boy in his early years and attended seminary. Music inspired him, especially traditional Latin chants. Myles had a rich tenor singing voice. He was involved with church choirs and was a regular cantor at Catholic Mass at St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Chicago.

A lifelong sports fan, Myles proudly supported the Chicago professional teams & Notre Dame Football through good and bad seasons. He and Dolores also grew to love the “Utah Jazz” and were season ticket holders during the Stockton-Malone era.

Exploring Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons with family was another favorite, where many fun adventures were had and lifelong memories made. The trips weren’t complete without a stop at Leeks Bay Marina to have a pizza or calzone and enjoy the mountain views.

Myles’ humor, kindness, and unwavering love for his family will never be forgotten and will live on in our hearts.

In addition to his parents, Myles was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores Burke (2022); son Michael Burke (2023); grandson Sean Burke (2016), sister Mary Ann Lawhead; brother James Burke; and sons-in-law John Blaz and David Tooley.

He is survived by his brother, Dr. Gene (Nancy) Burke of Elm Grove WI and sister, Joan Novak of Sun Lakes AZ; his children, Sharon Tooley of Prescott AZ; Claudia Blaz of Gilbert AZ; Thomas (Sharon Lee) Burke of San Diego CA; Carolyn Burke of Taylorsville UT; David Burke of West Valley City UT; James (Kathryn) Burke of South Jordan UT; 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 25th, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 Spring Lane, Holladay, Utah, at 11:00 a.m. A Rosary will precede the Mass at 10:30 a.m.  A visitation will be from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m., with the inurnment following at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.