BELMONT - Richard A. "Rick" Burke, Jr., 60, passed
away on Sunday (July 7, 2019) at Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing
Center, following a lengthy illness.
Rick was born Sept. 26, 1958 in Niagara Falls to Richard
Allen and Gail Marie (Bazinet/Molin) Burke, Sr. He grew up in the Niagara Falls
area, but moved with his family to Maryland, New Hampshire and, after a few
years, back to N.Y. As a teenager, his mom and family moved to Canaseraga where
he attended high school. They eventually settled in Belmont.
After high school, Rick took a position with Teledyne
Explorations in Houston, Texas and spent a year in Brazil with the oil
exploration company. He later spent many years as a Dive Master in Waimea on
the Big Island of Hawaii where he spent countless hours photographing and
recording videos capturing the beauty in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
During his time in Hawaii, Rick worked on the underwater filming crew for the
blockbuster movie, "Waterworld" starring Kevin Costner.
Rick moved back to Belmont in the early 2000s and spent most
of his personal time photographing various still life, landscapes, and
architecture of old buildings in black and white. Many of his works over the
last ten years were on display at various artisan venues locally.
Richard is survived by his mother, Gail; and his siblings,
Erika Molin of Owego, Chris (Letxy) Molin of Stayton, Ore., Mike Burke of
Salem, Ore., Bill (Taina) Burke of Sacramento, Calif., Steve (Maria) Burke of
Fort Hood, Texas, Thomas (Molly) Burke of Atlanta, Ga. and Patrick (Suzie)
Burke of Portland, Ore; his Uncle Michael and Aunt Donna Bazinet of Middleport,
Aunt Linda Bowker of Allentown, and Uncle Richard Bazinet of Niagara Falls;
several nieces, nephews and cousins; and his five beloved feline friends.
Rick was a great Harley-Davidson fan. He was very proud of
his custom-built bike. Rick loved driving around Belmont on his black, chrome
beauty looking like a mad, gray bearded wizard.
Rick lived an uncompromising, adventurous life crossing the
equator via ship several times and had the traditional ear piercings to prove
it. He lived his life by his own rules and, for all that knew him, was a force
of nature.
Per Rick's wishes, there will be no prior visitation. A
Celebration of Life memorial will be held with his family in August.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral
Home, 3256 Riverside Drive in Wellsville. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Richard's name may be made to SPCA
Serving Allegany County, PO Box 381, Wellsville, N.Y. 14895.
