Twin brother of Annie McMENAMIN.
29. Michael BURKE
Notes from Tony Smith, 1996:
He started work for New Zealand Railways at Milton as a porter when he was about age 14. He later transferred to Rangiora and then to Manukau as the Station Master.At Manukau he kept five cows and sold the cream.
He retired from the railways in 1929 and the family moved to Christchurch over Christmas 1929 - travelling on the Tamahine from Wellington to Lyttleton.
He then operated a Cake and Sandwich Shop at 174 Manchester Street - he used to transport his wife's baking to the shop on the handlebars of his bike.
Notes from Nick Holmes, 2018:
Gave evidence in court in 1888 regarding a fire that took place. States at that time he was living with his Uncle, Tobias Burke.
Clutha Leader, Volume XV, Issue 730, 13 July 1888, "STACK FIRE AT MILLBURN."
Notes from Nick Holmes, 2013:
It is rumoured he was disinherited for marrying a Catholic. This is unconfirmed. His children had a lot more to do with their mother’s side, the Burkes (she was the eldest of nine children). He did not go to war, which was never forgotten by his brothers-in-laws, although they themselves suffered long-lasting effects. He worked for the Public Trust and also was a secretary of the National Party. He gets a mention in the book that was written about the first 50 years of the party. He attended Christchurch Boys’ High, which enabled some of his grandchildren to attend in recent years. He and his wife Eileen also ran a milk bar at one point. They were frugal, having seven children, but being an office worker he did things like buy life insurance policies for each of his children when they were born. He was also known in later years to cook breakfast on a Saturday morning for whomever was still left living at home. Dad tells a story about a time when all the kids were conscripted to help paint the roof, and his Dad saying, "Don't be afraid to put some on."
Notes from Nick Holmes, 2014:
1st of twins. Twin sister of Doreen Mary BURKE.
Was known as "Marjorie" and did not discover her real name until later in life when she applied for a passport. Marriage record is under "Marjorie Theresa".
Had a shop in Manchester St, Tea Rooms, Dairy, etc.
Went to live with her grandmother, Winifred O'Meara in Rangiora, after the death of her grandfather in 1925. Stayed on until the family moved back to Christchurch in 1929.
In her late eighties she wrote her memoirs.
2nd of twins. Twin sister of Marjorie Sabina BURKE.
Was a reformed alcoholic.
Commenced school in Manakau and then continued at St. Mary's School in Christchurch when the family relocated. Left school at age 13 at the end of the year of her fathers death.
First worked in a sweatshop above Hay's in Colombo Street and then at Duckworth/Turners shoe factory in Sydenham - the factory manager was Knox Dowson who later started Dowson's Shoes.
Attended night classes at Greg's Commercial College learning shorthand and English and later attended day classes.
Then got a position in the office at Taylor's Dry Cleaning which continued for 8-9 years until just after her marriage.
Death notice:
Teresa (Tess) Frances Smith (nee Burke)
Passed away on 28 November 2012
Aged 91 years
Dearly loved wife of the late Ray.
Loved mother and mother-in-law of Marie and Bryan Kelly, Tony and Eli-Ana, the late Philip, Kevin and Kathy, Christopher and Susan, Steve and Lyanne, Pauline and Paul Morris.
A loved grandma of Paul, Janine, Loretta, and Philip; Amelia; Joshua, Toby, Susannah, the late David, and Jonathan; Alice; Dylan, and Ella; Ali, Kieran, Katie, and Daniel.
Great-grandma of Matthew, Jarrod, and Georgia-Rose; Nydia; Isabella, and little Thomas.
R.I.P.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Gregory’s Catholic Church, 30 Cotswold Ave, Bishopdale, Christchurch on Tuesday, December 4 at 10.00am followed by an interment at the Belfast Cemetery.A Rosary will be said at the Church on Monday, December 3 at 5.30pm.