Dear Grace,

I send my deepest condolences to you and your daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Catherine Guerre

Gracie, Dr. Burke, my sincere condolences. My thoughts are with you and in my prayers. Mike Hudack

Dear Grace, We are deeply saddened and still can't believe it is true! My deepest sympathy for your loss. Words fail to express my deep sorrow for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Xiangli and Family

May his soul rest in peace and may Providence grant you, his loved ones, the strength to bear this loss.

Gabriel Ilevbare

Dear Gracie,

Joyce and I were deeply saddened when we learned of Mike’s passing. It was a privilege to work with and for Mike during our years at Westinghouse. I recall one morning Mike asked what kind of music I enjoyed. After mumbling something about classical, he offered me two tickets for the Westinghouse box at an Eagles concert. I remain a fan and often remember the concert and Mike when listening to their music. When we began looking for a new SEM at Churchill, Mike suggested that I attend the 2005 M&M meeting to meet with vendors. It just happened to be the year the meeting was in Honolulu so of course, Joyce joined me for the trip. I’ll always remember how Mike looked after his people and let me know he valued my contribution. You and Eileen have our sincerest condolences. Mike will be missed but not forgotten.

Bob and Joyce

Dear Gracie,

Lynne and I were saddened to learn of the death of Mike last week. I had known Mike since the mid 70s when I played soccer against him in an intramural league at Pitt. Later, I had the great pleasure on many occasions of playing with him and socializing with him after the games. He was a most kind and gentle person, although not always so on the soccer field! We are currently in the UK but should like to extend our condolences to you and Eileen and to say how sorry we are for your loss.

Tony and Lynne Plant

Dear Gracie:

On behalf of the members of the Environmental Degradation Conference Committee, let me offer sincere condolences on the passing of Mike. He was a leader in materials degradation in nuclear reactors and his presence at the meetings, both this expertise and his wit, will be sorely missed. Please may you and Eileen find peace in this difficult time.

Denise Paraventi

for the Environmental Degradation Conference

Our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Burke family, especially Dr. Mary Grace Burke  on the passing of Dr. Mike Burke . May his soul always be in peace with the Lord.

The Bajaj Family

Dear Gracie

I was deeply saddened by the news that Mike has passed away. I remember vividly the time we shared in Sheffield back in late 70’s ; Mike, Richard and myself sharing a house with you making frequent visits. Chats we had over dinners, finding a good excuse to go to a Pub over the hill. These were really happy days. We were already sad by the early loss of Richard and now shocked and deeply saddened by Mike’s unexpected loss. Our condolences to you and your daughter. We will miss him deeply.

Gracie,

I know you from Bettis and then I met and worked with Mike at Westinghouse. I am shocked and saddened to read of his passing, much too soon, from this world. My deepest sympathies to you and the family, I am certain he will be greatly missed.

Mary Ann Walsh

Gracie and Eileen,

I have so many fun memories with you both, Mike and often Mr Lackey too jumping in and out of the Blaney’s pool! We’re so glad we got to catch up with Mike over dinner (and some after dinner singing) last winter at the Hoffbrau House. Sending love and hugs

Love,

Grace Concelman and Joe McElwee

Dear Gracie and Eileen,

My deepest sympathies for your loss. Mike liked to remind me that we all (literally) first met in Santa Barbara at the IGRDM workshop in 1994. I have a lot of fond memories from that workshop and the lifetime of experiences that followed. One of those experiences was working with Mike while he was still at Westinghouse on a review of the LWRS program at Oak Ridge. It was perhaps the first time that I really got to see him “at work” and it was something to see (as you know, he could create and problem solve every bit as well as he could speak, persuade, and entertain). Fast forward a few more years and we started talking about opportunities at EPRI. I knew we had won the lottery when he accepted the technical executive role at EPRI. And over the coming years he accomplished more than I could have ever imagined, from solutions for the current fleet to cutting edge approaches for the next generation of reactors. He has built a foundation that will provide value to the industry for many years to come. More important than all of that, though, we were all truly blessed with his time at EPRI to get to know him even better, as a teammate, a person, and friend. He will be deeply missed.

Kurt Edsinger

Dear Gracie,

I was shocked to read of Mike's passing. I worked with Mike at Westinghouse/Siemens as his administrative assistant. Mike was one of the kindest, brightest and fun loving person I had the privilege of knowing. When he would speak of you and Eileen it would be with such love and pride. He adored you two. He always treated me so well. Everyone that worked with him loved him. He was not only our manager, but a true friend to all. I'm so sorry for your loss. A good man was taken way too soon from this earth. My prayers are with you and Eileen.

With heartfelt sympathy -

Donna DiCesare

So sorry for your loss Gracie and Eileen. Mike was one of life's gentleman and it was my privilege to have known him over the last 35 years. He will be sadly missed. You both will be in my thoughts and please know you have a Irish family on your shoulder to help you through the sad times.

Trish, Paula and Conor

It was an honor and a privilege to work with Mike at Westinghouse. He was incredibly knowledgeable and practical in his application. It was enjoyable to work with him on solving challenging problems. Sorry to see he is gone too soon

Dear Gracie and Eileen,

I don't know how to express how sorry I am and how much I wanted to able to take a share of your burden from Mike's passing! He was such a dear friend to me. Mike was one of the individuals that really could see a difference between the individual and the issue. He was always giving and supporting in his nature and gladly took the extra time if you needed to sort out the big things from the flutter on the surface that obscured your view! I will cherish the memories of our discussions on small and big things, everything from the football we both watched and loved, to the small and large details in the technical discussions we had. His British manner made him so humble, but he still had a way to make me understand that he thought I was totally out of the line, without raising his voice or ridicule me! I so much enjoyed his company and feel so bad that I cannot be there at this moment of sadness. Please accept my condolences and thoughts in this difficult time.

/Pål

Dear Gracie,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. I came to know Mike over the past couple of years through our work on common issues. I appreciated his easy-going manner and vast knowledge. I had the pleasure of sharing meals with Mike at various meetings and enjoyed our conversations and his wit. I will certainly miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,

Eric Focht

Dear Gracie and Eileen,

The members of the IAC-IASCC group, representing many of the organisations and individuals that Mike worked with over his long and successful career, would like to offer our sincere condolences for the passing of Mike. He was a well respected engineer and source of knowledge, something he liked to share with us on a very open way, and not the least a dear friend and colleague to all of us. His contribution to the combined knowledge was significant and important as was his guidance in areas specifically involved in sharing of information and piecing issues together to the help of the combined industry. He always had the time for an extra question and in his very British manner he politely asked us to think it over again and reconsider if he thought we were in error. He was also always open for new ideas and other ways of thinking that might give us an edge on the problems we were dealing with. We will all miss him sincerely and hope that his memory and spirit will remain in all of us!

Dear Gracie,

The members of the ICG-EAC group would like to offer their condolences for the passing of Mike. He was known by all the group members and was considered one of the world experts in material degradation in nuclear reactors. His contributions and guidance to the success of the group will be sorely missed.

ICG-EAC Group Leadership

Gracie,

Karen and I were so sad to hear of Mike's passing. We have a lot of great memories playing soccer with him at West Mifflin and then on to Chiodo's for a few beers and some laughs. He was a great teammate and we both loved his special smile. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to you and Eileen. We will miss him.

So sorry for your loss Gracie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I wish you peace and comfort as you grieve.

Doug Sneddon

Dear Gracie and Eileen,

Condolences to you both and the extended Burke family on Mike’s passing. I too have mad memories of The Burke household’s warm hospitality and laughter on my trips to Pittsburg.

Bless you all at this time,

Rest in peace Mike,

Anne B, Dublin

I was so sorry to learn today of Mike's passing. What a shame! I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sending my deep condolences to you both. I so enjoyed by time on the football pitch with Mike and the requisite post-game technical meeting over malted beverages. It has been a few decades since we shared that time together but I look back upon it with joy. Wishing you solace, Aleister Saunders

Dear Grace and Eileen,

Please accept my deepest condolences. I sincerely regret for not being able to be there in person. I will forever be thankful to have had him as a mentor. His wisdom, kindness and leadership will always be remembered...

Cem

Even though I moved away 15 years ago, I still look at our team photos and remember all the good times we shared. Mike will be missed for the joy and laughter he brought to so many. I will keep Mike and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

Tommy Geis

Grace,

I am sorry to hear the news of Mike's passing. Our sincere condolences to you and your daughter. You both are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Mike was a good friend and colleague. He will certainly be missed by all the people around the world that he has interacted with over the years.

Best Regards,

Steve and Sharon Fyfitch

Dear Grace and Eileen,

We were so sorry to hear the sad news that Mike has passed away and send our deepest condolences.

I have great memories of Mike's friendship over many years. Firstly for three years when we were students together at Fitzwilliam College - Mike and I were the two northerners in our group of friends. Then, many years later when Mike was at the University of Manchester I remember meeting him and it was just like our old college days again. When Mike joined EPRI we had more opportunities to reminisce about the student days, lectures, lab work and soccer. In all the years Mike never changed and I will remember him for his kindness and sense of humour, and for his technical excellence.

Richard and Claire Acton

Cheshire UK

Our sincerest condolences to Gracie and all your family. It seems only yesterday when we were all students, postdocs, and young folks starting out on our careers. We grieve with you in your loss, and think of all the happy times over the years. Mike will be missed by us all - it was a privilege to have known him. With fond remembrance. Judy Todd and Steve Copley.

Gracie,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing this past week. I've had the honor of working, visiting, and laughing with you and Mike over the years at this or that conference or meeting. Since Mike joined EPRI he became more than a simple acquaintance, he became a colleague and friend. On more than one occasion Mike mentored and taught me. He always shared his experience and knowledge in such a genuine and friendly way. Please know that my prayers and thoughts go out to you and family during this difficult time.

Steve McCracken

Dear Gracie and Family,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. I met Mike several times at various EPRI events and will remember him as a kind and fun-loving person and a great metallurgist. May he rest in peace.

John Lippold

My deepest sympathies on your loss of Mike. I had the honor and pleasure of working with Mike at EPRI and he was not just a great researcher and communicator, but a beautiful person. I am grateful for having known and worked with him the last several years. I will miss him.

Dear Gracie and Eileen,

We are so very sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. We will cherish fond memories of Mike, especially the many visits to Europe, and his special, unique wit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.

Kyle and Dana Amberge

Charlotte, NC

Dearest Gracie and Eileen,

Greetings from Dublin from your Irish extended family. Sending love to you both on the sad news of Mikes death and remembering the warm welcome and fun times we always had when visiting. Know that we are thinking of you and will say a little prayer for Mike. Love from Clare Blaney and Gerry Looby and Sarah , Denis and Oscar

Dear Gracie and Family:

I was both shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mike's passing this week. Over the last few years, while Mike was at EPRI, I had the good fortune to work more closely with him on several projects. We averaged at least two calls per month. These interactions with Mike were a tremendous gift and I will miss them deeply. Mike was gentle, kind, yet honest and forthright with his technical opinions. I always learned something from his wealth of knowledge. Mike also had great integrity and was driven to do the right thing to ensure plant safety. While we agreed on most things, when we occasionally didn't see eye-to-eye on an issue, Mike would calmly and clearly state his position to provide me with enough information to reflect and reconsider my position. I would often then come to see and recognize the wisdom in Mike's point. As I got to know MIke better through work, I would sometime intentionally adopt a controversial and possibly unconventional position to see how Mike would react and gauge his thoughts. Mike was such a broad and free thinker that he would thoughtfully consider even my most radical suggestions and provide a thoughtful, well-reasoned analysis.

My heart aches for you and your family and my thoughts and prayers and with you as you mourn your loss. Both you and Mike have always been so warm, friendly, and inviting. To put it simply, you're just good people and there are not enough of such people in the world. My only consolation is that I have such good and rich memories of Mike, that I hope that I can honor him by treating people as he always treated me, with honor, respect, warmth, and good cheer.

God bless,

Rob Tregoning

Gracie and Eileen we were so shocked to hear Mike had passed away RIP. Please accept our deepest sympathies and prayers at this very sad time. What a lovely photo of Mike a true gentleman who always made us so welcome in your home. The fun times we had and the great memories will be treasured. We can’t imagine how you must be feeling but just know we are thinking of you both and hope in time the loss and hurt will get easier.

Love and Hugs,

Colin, Liz & Meghan Xx

Kildare, Ireland

I had the great pleasure of knowing Mike through work, and although our interactions were infrequent, they were always enjoyable and ended with a smile or chuckle from each of us. I am reminded of his trips to our Bay Area office, where I would see him most, and his energy for both professional and personal pursuits was enviable! On most of these trips west, Mike would end his visits working late and usually head straight to the airport for a red-eye flight home. This always impressed me.

I was saddened to hear of his passing and can only imagine what his family is feeling in these early days. My prayers are with all of you. Mike will be missed, and I am glad I got the chance to know him.

Matt

It was my good fortune to get to know Mike over a few years while at EPRI. He was a brilliant man but was not boastful of his accomplishments. Though there was only a few interactions during which we spoke at length, every conversation with Mike displayed his humility, grace, and a sincere kindness. His character was impressive, worth emulating; and, it was deeply saddening to hear the news that he passed. I sincerely pray for comfort and solace for all of his grieving loved ones.

David Scott

Gracie and Eileen, so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a true gentleman, I will always cherish the time we spent with you two in Pittsburgh. I remember how helpful and patient he was with our David teaching him soccer strategies. I am truly sorry he will be greatly missed by many. Love Sue Groves

Hi Gracie

All my condolences to you and your daughter. This seems unreal. Still remember, like it was last week, meeting Mike at the beach walk in Ipanema during that Symposium in Brazil we went to. We were both trying to buy cheap knockoff soccer jerseys and met there just by accident. Here I am waiting for the vendor to finish with this foreign tourist, so I can buy my stuff and I suddenly realized the tourist was Mike. We had a good laugh about it then.

Arthur

Dear Gracie,

Mike left us too early. He was an amazing person and led a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I got to know him both professionally and personally.I was looking at his photo included in this obituary and saw his familiar cheerful face that brought back memories of our time together in Rio where he took us to a soccer game. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your daughter. He will be missed.

Al Ahluwalia

My sincere condolences to the Burke family.

Mike was a great friend and colleague, and it was a privilege to know and learn from him. He had such a positive energy and was so uplifting... He will be sorely missed in so many different ways and nothing will be the same.

I'm so sorry for your loss--

Emma Wong

Dear Grace

We just heard the very sad news that your beloved husband passed away last Friday. We would like to convey our sincere condolence to you and your family. We feel so sorry for your tremendous loss and you are in our hearts and thoughts. May our prayers for Mike and you and our deep sympathy mitigate your pain and relief your grief a little. We hope that your wonderful memories and love with Mike will bring back a smile on your face soon.

Sincerely

Edilene and Hans-Peter Seifert

Grace. Please accept my condolences to you and your daughter. Mike was so full of life, almost always with a sparkle in his eyes, often with a wry smile. He projected such faith that things will turn out well and that challenges can be overcome. For me, he was a reassuring, calming presence. I am so sorry for your loss. -Sincerely, Peter Chou

My deepest condolences and sympathies for the Burke family!

One memory of Mike is having the privilege to take a Short Course from him on Nuclear power... very good and enjoyable! May prayers and support from family and friends get you through this difficult time...

With kind regards and love,

Ken

Dear Gracie,

I would like to convey my condolences on the loss of your husband, Mike Burke. Mike and I worked together on one project with great success and we have been in close contact in various other works. From a personal level, I was impressed by his technical expertise, kindness, willingness to share and help. He will be missed.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss, and may Mike rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Xiang (Frank) Chen