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Beloved Central Jersey Dad Adrian Burke Dies During Family Vacation, Prompting Wave Of Support

Support is pouring for the family of beloved South Jersey dad Adrian Richard Burke, who died of congestive heart failure while vacationing with his wife.

Adrian Richard Burke died Tuesday, May 9 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was 61.

Adrian Richard Burke died Tuesday, May 9 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was 61.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe (Campaign: Help Adrian Burke Recover and Return Home)

Adrian was cleared by his doctor to take a trip to Turks and Caicos in April with his wife, Malvina, following a 30-year history of congestive heart failure, according to a GoFundMe launched by loved ones who’d been hoping, at the time, to help him return home and in good health.

About two days into the trip, Adrian “became very short of breath and was admitted to the local hospital in Turks and Caicos with an acute flare up of his heart failure,” reads the campaign. He was later flown to Broward Hospital in Florida, where he was admitted to the ICU and put on life support. He tragically passed away in Fort Lauderdale surrounded by the comfort of his loving family on Tuesday, May 9.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Adrian grew up in New Castle, graduating from Norfolk State University before becoming employed for Lockheed Martin Corporation, where he retired in 2021, his obituary says. He also spent more than two decades tutoring middle school children in mathematics.

Adrian is remembered as a family man and a devoted dad with a distinct sense of humor — and way of showing love:

“Adrian had a heart of gold and a funny sense of humor. He loved cracking on you...and, if you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of his head jokes, you knew that he loved you.”

In addition to his loving wife, Adrian’s surviving family members include his son, Benjamin; mother-in-law, Doris Goodwin; brothers, Raymond, Jr., David, Michael, and Eric (Rhonda); brothers-in-law, Pastor Edward R. Goodwin, Jr. (Chiquita) and Moises Zuniga, and many more.

Adrian’s funeral was scheduled for Tuesday, May 23 at the T.L Hutton Family and Friends Funeral Home in Burlington.

Meanwhile, more than $19,500 had been raised on the GoFundMe launched after Adrian’s initial hospitalization with donations steadily flowing in as of Friday, May 19.

“Malvina and Benjamin thank you for your loving kindness during this difficult time in their lives,” reads an update posted to the campaign following Adrian’s passing. “They appreciate your love and support, and they pray that blessings will fall fresh upon you because of your generosity. Please join Malvina, Benjamin, and the Burke-Goodwin family in celebrating Adrian's life.”

Click here to view/donate on GoFundMe.

“Adrian, you will be remembered forever.”

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