Tributes paid to Kildare man remembered as 'wonderful dad and grandad'

A Leixlip man who passed recently has been remembered as a “wonderful dad and grandad.”

(Anthony) Tony Burke, Castletown, Leixlip, Co Kildare and formerly of Walkinstown, Dublin 12 passed peacefully on April 20 2025 at Care Choice Nursing Home, Parnell Road.

Tony is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Bridget (Bridie), deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving children Donal, Colm, Eimear and Sinead, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers Paddy and Aidan, sister May, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and especially his colleagues and friends of the basketball community.

May Tony Rest In Peace.

Tributes paid to Tony on RIP.ie this week included the following: “To the Burke family
My sincere condolences at this sad time. Tony was one in a million, always had a smile and extremely generous with his time. He was a fantastic ref and loved being at Masters events whether here or abroad. Masters events won't be the same without him and I will miss the chats with him and the fun he brought wherever he went. May he rest in peace.”

And: “Deepest sympathies to all the Burke family. Tony was a fantastic person. I have known him since he accompanied us on an international school basketball trip when I was a teenager, then when I played with Colm and then on to him refereeing Superleague and finally the Masters. What a great referee he was and more than that he was always so positive and friendly. May he rest in peace.”

While another mourner wrote: “Sinead, Eimear, Donal, Colm & extended Burke family,
I have known Tony since the Corinthians/Roy Curtis days. Tony was one in a million. A pure gent, kind, thoughtful and enormous fun. Will miss him so much on the basketball circuit and especially the fun we had at master's weekends. Thinking of you all as we say a fond farewell to the legend that was Tony. Sleep well my friend.”

And another added: “Our deepest sympathies to Donal, Colm, Eimear & Sinead on the very sad passing of your wonderful dad and grandad . Tony was an absolute gentleman always with a smile on his face. Tommy & myself had many great nights in the Salmon Leap with himself & Bridie . They will be united once again & may they both rest in eternal peace.”

Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth, (W23V99E) on Monday from 4pm - 8pm, with evening prayers at 7pm.

Removal from the Funeral Home on Tuesday at approximately 10:30am to arrive at the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Confey Cemetery.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed live in the webstream section below.

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

Family flowers only, please.

Donations if desired to the Irish Cancer Society which can be made by clicking on the "donation" section below.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and thanks to the staff at Care Choice Nursing Home for their love and care for Tony.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230.

Webstream: https://churchmedia.tv/our-ladys-nativity

Donations to The Irish Cancer Society: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/AT80881112/donate.html

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