Councillor dies after long illness

Aug 7 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

TRIBUTES have been paid to Cheshire county councillor John Burke, who has died at home following a long battle with motor neurone disease.

Cllr Burke was elected to represent the Gowy division in 2001 and from 2005 was the executive member for highways and transportation.

Throughout his illness, Cllr Burke was committed to carrying out his councillor duties.

Cllr Burke, who died on August 3, had lived in Chester and leaves a wife, Shirley, three sons and one daughter.

Friend and deputy county council leader David Rowlands said: “John Burke brought to Cheshire County Council a combination of ability, integrity and experience which has been invaluable.”