After battling cancer for the last two years, Captain Patrick Burke passed away at home with his family Christmas Eve morning. Pat is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kim, and their four children, Thomas, Joseph, Maria Rose, and Lucy.

Pat started flying at Vincennes University’s aviation program in 1986. After completing his associates degree there, he went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at Purdue University through their aviation flight program in 1990. After instructing for a couple years, Pat moved on to flying night freight out of Flint, Michigan. In 1996, he took a corporate Learjet Captain position at Comair Jet Express, which later became Delta Private Jets. In 1998, Pat got the call every pilot dreams of from United Airlines. He started on the panel of the 727 eventually becoming a check airman. He transitioned to a first officer on the 737. After 9/11, Pat took LOA from United and started as Airbus first officer with Jetblue in 2003. He upgraded to E190 captain in 2005 and became an Airbus Captain in 2019 based in MCO.

Besides being a consummate professional, Pat was beloved as one of the kindest and friendliest persons to work and fly with. As I followed Pat around the industry, the most common quote I would receive when discussing Pat with fellow coworkers was “Everybody loves Pat!”

Any donations to aid Kim as she continues to finish raising three college age children still completing their degrees and living at home, would be greatly appreciated.

Rob Morrow

A320 FO MCO

Pat’s brother-in-law