Joel Gregory ("Greg") Burke, also affectionately known as "Coach," "Oh High and Mighty One" or "Father Guido Sarducci" was born on October 27, 1952 in Bay Shore, NY to concert cornetist James Burke and concert pianist Idagene Burke. Greg passed away December 11, 2016 in Portland, Oregon surrounded by his wife of 40 years, Terri, and their three children while listening to hymns and oldies music.

Greg was a physician's assistant who ran an Urgent Care clinic in Maryland before he was injured on the job in 1986. This injury turned into a degenerative nerve disease, which ultimately contributed to a chronic, pain-filled disability.  When this limited his ability to work, Greg chose a different path. His youngest daughter had been born without an esophagus, and he saw this as an opportunity to learn and help other parents whose children were born with related birth defects. He started a nationwide support group and shared his resources, knowledge, and was a listening ear to hurting families.

He had a zeal for people and all that life offered including medicine, all sports  (he was a coach for youth soccer in Texas, West Virginia, and Maryland), dim sum, Christian apologetics, photography, oldies music, old movies, television (he felt he learned more from television than anywhere), Ranch dressing, laughing, raspberry truffles and Fannie May mint meltaways, and gardening.  He was passionate about all kinds of education and loved sharing what he learned.

Greg will be remembered most for his good humor, practical jokes and sacrifices and love for his family and people. When his own disabilities left him unable to find a job, he didn't hesitate to go where he was needed… taking care of his brother, Mitch, the last two months of his life with cancer; stayed by his daughter, Jessie's side, when she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease; and in the midst of being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer himself, continued to care for his mother-in-law with Alzheimer's.

Greg left a legacy of always being there for people, having a listening ear, answering the phone anytime of the day or night, going to family sports events near and far, welcoming anyone and everyone into his life and home, rich or poor. Race or status didn't matter to him, and the more the merrier.

Greg was widely read, and his family considered him a walking encyclopedia. He read medical books or Christian apologetics (reasons for defense of the faith) as bedtime reading. He openly believed Christianity is the only way to heaven, and was always telling people to listen to Ravi Zacharias ( RZM.com ), even on his deathbed.

He leaves behind his wife, Terri Lee Burke, and their children Jessie (Jonathan Cohen), Jeremiah (Laura), Meggie (Joe Armeni); Grandchildren Anouk, Julien, Miette Cohen, Benjamin, Peyton, and Baby-on-the-way Burke, and Stella Armeni; Siblings Joneta Burke of Bay Shore, NY, Jolynda Herr of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and Jeff Burke of Ohio; as well as many nephews, nieces, and loved ones.