Peter F. Burke

Peter F. Burke entered into eternal life on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Peter was born in Queens, New York to Francis Xavier Burke and Gloria Veronica Burke, née McLoughlin.

Peter was raised in Holmdel, New Jersey and was a proud New Jerseyan. Peter was a proud Irish Catholic. He was the eldest son of Gloria and Francis X. Burke. One of six children, Peter was a devoted and protective big brother to all his siblings. Growing up, Peter participated in the Boy Scouts in Hazlet, New Jersey for five years, earning 17 merit badges during his time. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he participated in Interscholastic Indoor Track and Intramural Softball. Peter began his college education at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City.

Peter enjoyed spending time with his brother Stephen, as they were only 11 months apart and often in the same school and grade growing up. Being ten years older than his youngest brother Thomas, Peter loved driving and picking him up, always looking out for him. He cherished all of his siblings, Stephen, Vincent, Gerard, Thomas, and Anne, and made sure no one ever bothered them.

Peter worked at UPS for two years while attending school at night. He later graduated from New Jersey City University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Economics, and became a member of the National History Society at the university.

In 1994, Peter attended a Bible Sharing Group with Sister Grace Reape, where he met Luz Obligacion. He served as an usher at Saint Peter’s Church for three years and volunteered in the Food Pantry for two years. In 1997, Peter married Luz Martinez Obligacion. The following year, they welcomed their first and only son, Federico “Freddy” Burke.

In 2005, Peter and his family moved to downtown Jersey City and began attending Resurrection Parish, worshipping at Saint Mary’s and Saint Michael’s Churches. Peter resumed serving as an usher in both churches.

As a father, Peter understood that Freddy, being an only child, had a different experience than he and Luz had growing up. Peter took extra care to ensure his son always had someone to talk to, walk with, eat with, and spend time with. He worked hard to provide Freddy with a strong Catholic education from grammar school through college. Peter often said that the most important asset a father can have is a listening ear.

Peter worked for M.T.M. Project Live in Newark, New Jersey for 11 years and retired in 2020. His work included maintaining housing for individuals suffering from mental health challenges and ensuring they had safe and adequate living spaces. This work was especially meaningful to Peter as a survivor of a mental health crisis himself.

An avid supporter of the Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo of Saint Mary’s Parish in Jersey City, celebrated annually on Manila Avenue, Peter participated in the procession as the holder of the Our Lady of Manaoag icon for over 20 years. In 2021, Peter shared that becoming a Hermano Mayor, or Grand Sponsor, was his way of giving thanks for the gift of life and supporting his wife Luz and son Freddy in continuing the tradition of Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo. He proudly served as Hermano Mayor in 2023 and 2025. On May 1, 2022, Peter and Luz supported the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Landas Ng Kabanalan as Hudson County Hermanos. In 2022, PACCAL Inc. honored Peter as Father of the Year at their 30th PACCAL Awards, led by his son, Chairman Freddy Burke.

In the summer of 2025, Freddy and Peter affectionately joked that Peter was the “Assistant to the Director of Religious Education,” as he was always willing to help set up classrooms for CCD at Saint Mary’s Church and made sure Freddy and Luz arrived on time to teach catechism. Peter also joined Freddy on several occasions in attending seminar workshops offered by the Archdiocese of Newark in Faith Formation.

Peter always put others before himself. “Be patient. Love is kind.” would have been his motto. He took great pride in being a careful and attentive driver, holding his license for more than 50 years.

Peter is survived by his beloved wife, Luz, and his son, Federico “Freddy” Burke; his brothers Stephen, Vincent, Gerard, and Thomas; and his sister Anne. He is also survived by his in laws Michele Burke, Amy Burke, and William Ernestburg; his circle of friends and cousins Patricia, Jim and Colleen, Mike and Katrina, and Denis and Joanne Sweeney; as well as numerous loving cousins from the Burke, Sweeney, Barrett, and Gregory families, along with many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation in celebration of Peter’s life on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home, 3205 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306. For GPS directions, please use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary’s Church in Jersey City. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, N. Arlington. 

A livestream of Peter's visitation and funeral services will appear below the obituary on this page and will remain available for viewing after the services.