Gerard James "Jerry" Burke, Jr., age 78, passed away after a brief illness in Worcester, MA, on July 4, 2022. Jerry was born in Concord, MA on May 30, 1944, and spent his formative years moving about the country and living on military bases with his family. He was a graduate of Boston College and later Simmons School of Social Work. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerard Burke Sr. and Anne Neville Burke, both of Concord. Jerry was a Senior Trust Officer for the Bank of Boston for over 25 years, and explained that his job was one in which he "helped families make decisions". He often said this set the stage for his second career as a social worker where he spent much of 2002-2005 working on adolescent and geriatric units at Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, again "helping families in need" and finding a passion for service work. Jerry will be remembered as a free spirit who always loved to travel and could make a home and friends anywhere he landed. Up until the past few weeks, Jerry could be found at local coffee shops, doing crossword puzzles, reading a book, or watching Jeopardy with friends. He is survived by his two sons, Jeffrey Burke Hartman (Renée Corine Arnold) and Ezra Burke (Hannah Hammond-Hagman), and 12-year old grandchild, Avi Burke, who was the light of his life. He also leaves behind his brother John Burke (Bill Erickson) as well as many cousins in the New England area and beyond, the Crawford family, his friends at The Sundial in Fitchburg, MA where he lived for the past 5 years, and friends from Easton Mountain in upstate NY where he lived from 2006-2012. Family and friends will gather for visiting hours in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA on Monday, July 11th from 4 to 6 pm, concluding with a service of remembrance. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to OutMetrowest or the Massachusetts Center for the Book in Jerry's honor. Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.