Francis (Frank) Edward Burke

June 28, 1942 – March 14, 2016

“If music be the food of love…and life…play on….

A Going Away Party (Celebration of Life) is scheduled for Sunday June 26, 2016 from 7:00 – 10:00 at Orpheus (17 Fairmont Avenue). Interment will occur in Toronto at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery on Tuesday June 28, 2016.

While his gift for friendship was legendary, and many such friendships were solidified around gourmet meals, Frank also left his mark in the music and theatre worlds. He graduated from St. Michael’s Choir School, studied Canadian History at the University of Windsor from 1960 to 1963, and did a Master’s at Carleton University. He then did contracts at CBC, was a life member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 180, where he was known as a Pianist, Organist and a Conductor.

As an Orpheus Life Member, Frank was active over 4 decades since he first joined the society in 1972. He most recently helped by assisting with sound, something he had done over the decades, but he had a long “career” both on-stage and off at Orpheus. Frank served on many committees, and appeared in several Orpheus productions in the 70’s and 80’s. His credits included Programme Director and Production Coordinator, but many will also remember him as a musician in the orchestra, as the Chorus Master for Glengarry Days, or as Musical Director for shows such as Gigi, Applause and Kismet.

In 1977, Frank co-conceived and developed S.A.M. (A Salute to the American Musical) along with Nancy Turner and Paul Gaffney. Just five years later, in 1982, this same team conceived and developed Opening Night, the First 75 Years to celebrate Orpheus’ 75th anniversary.

In the 1980s, Frank and a team produced the Canada Day Show on the Hill for several years and also worked on two editions of “Sound & Saddles” for the RCMP Band and the Musical Ride. For the Jewish Community Centre Theatreworks, as accompanist, Frank was an integral part of ten musical productions in the 1990s.

It is hard to imagine the show going on without Frank in our lives, but go on it must, though he will be sorely missed by many. Donations to Orpheus in his memory will be gladly accepted.

Source: eNews Harp, June 2016