Columbus, OH — Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Michael “Mickey” James Burke Sr., 87, of Fredericktown, Pa., died unexpectedly May 6, 2024, in Florida. He was surrounded by his family.

Mr. Burke left behind his wife Sylvia who he adored. The couple would have been celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 29.

He was born in Uniontown, Pa., on Aug. 11, 1936, to parents David and Anna (Gibbons). He married the love of his life Sylvia (Skittle) Aug. 29, 1964, in Canonsburg, Pa. Together they had five children, Michael (Melia McCracken Oddi), Ronald (Diane), Michelle Hill, Melissa (Brian) Patterson, and Rebecca (Sean) Setaro. Mr. Burke would also proudly tell you he had eight grandsons, Derek Hill, Ryan (Marissa), Dylan (Paige) Hill, Bradley, Kevin Patterson, Anthony Setaro, Burke Patterson, and Vincent Setaro. He was immensely proud of his family and anyone who had the pleasure of spending time with Mickey would undoubtedly be captivated as he told stories of his children’s accomplishments and his lifetime of adventures.

Mr. Burke was preceded in death by his parents, David and Anna; brothers, Regis, Robert, and Jack; and a special pet, Willy. He is survived by his elder brother, Patrick, who currently resides in Maryland.

Mr. Burke was a lifelong lover of horses. Beginning with jumping horses as a young teen and owning his first harness horse at the age of 19. Mr. Burke then went on to run a successful car dealership, Mickey Burke Pontiac and Buick, Brownsville, Pa).

In 1981 he convinced his wife Sylvia to take a leap of faith and turn his hobby into a career and Mickey Burke Stables (currently Burke Racing Stable) was established. Mr. Burke would go on to have an incredibly successful horse racing stable with the entire family being involved in the business. He remained actively involved with the horses up until his death. If asked he would tell you he never worked a day in his life because he loved what he did.

He became the first harness horse trainer to surpass $10 million in one year and won the Glen Garnsey Trainer of the Year Award in 2006. He and his wife were named to the Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame in 2021. Two years earlier, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Monticello-Goshen chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

Mr. Burke was a very generous man who was always willing to help those in need. He loved to attend racing events and horse sales and he could be found “holding court” with visitors stopping by all day to give him a hug, ask his opinion and probably hear a few stories. These events will continue without him but will never be quite the same.

Mr. Burke held his faith very dear and was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic church.

Friends will be received Friday (May 10) from 2-8 p.m. in the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, Ltd., 2830 Main St., Beallsville, PA 15313. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday (May 11) at 12 p.m. at the St. Katherine Drexel Parish Richeyville campus with Rev. Michael Zavage as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray, Pa.

Mr. Burke patronized multiple charities. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, your local Food Bank, St Jude’s Cancer Hospital or a charity of your choice.