Arthur John Burke, 76, of Londonderry, NH, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital following complications from cancer treatments.

Arthur was born in Methuen, MA, on March 30, 1950, to George and Ann Elizabeth “Betty” Reynolds Burke. The second of eleven children, Arthur grew up in Methuen surrounded by the love, activity, and sometimes inevitable chaos of a large Catholic family. He graduated from Tenney High School in 1969.

Arthur met the love of his life, Betty Taft, while camping at Hermit Island in Bath, Maine. Shortly afterward, he moved to Worcester to be near her. They married in 1973 and welcomed their only son, Arron, two years later.

In 1971, Arthur began his career with Sears Roebuck and Co. in Worcester. What began with selling vacuums and sewing machines grew into a long and successful career with Sears. Arthur moved into appliances and televisions before taking on a management position in cosmetics. His natural ability to connect with people, his work ethic, and his talent for sales and leadership ultimately led him to become a Market Development Manager until he retired.

Family was always at the center of Arthur’s life. He loved boating and skiing, and some of his happiest years were spent taking family trips to Lake Winnipesaukee while Arron was growing up. He also loved to travel, both for work and for pleasure, and over the years he collected countless memories from the places he visited.

Later on, Arthur’s love of travel took on a new generation. He shared his passion for travel with Arron, his wife Christine, and his grandchildren, Allison and Evan, taking them to Disney multiple times and helping create a love of the parks that they continue to share. Arthur had a particular talent for spoiling his family—especially his grandchildren—and Allison and Evan adored their Grampy.

He often picked Allison and Evan up from school, bringing them fresh fruit and homemade goodies and creating traditions like “Scratch Ticket Thursdays.” At home, Arthur and Betty played cribbage together every day, and Evan kept track of their wins and their often-dramatic commentary about each game, sharing the latest statistics with the family at their Sunday dinners. Arthur was known for cooking for his family, and Sunday night dinners with Arron, Christine and the kids became a cherished weekly tradition that continued until the end.

In retirement, Arthur continued to enjoy the things that made him happiest: traveling, spending time with friends and family, and playing golf—sometimes successfully, and sometimes simply enthusiastically. He cherished his friendships and never seemed to need much of an excuse for a trip, an adventure, or time spent with the people he loved.

Arthur was predeceased by his parents, George and Betty Burke, and his siblings Christopher, Kerin, and Michael.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Betty Burke; his son, Arron Burke, and his wife, Christine; and his grandchildren, Allison and Evan, who held a particularly special place in his heart.

He is also survived by his older brother George Burke and his wife Linda; younger siblings Lisbeth Fitzgerald, Shaun Burke and his wife Louise, Joseph Burke, Patrice Friant, Colleen Papaefthemiou and her husband Christos and Cathleen Burke. He leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and an extended family of loved ones—as is to be expected in a large Catholic family.

Arthur will be remembered for his love of family, his generous spirit, his sense of adventure, his love of travel, and his ability to make the people around him feel cared for. Most of all, he will be deeply missed by Betty, Arron, Christine, Allison, Evan, and the many family members and friends whose lives he touched.

Arrangements made by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com