Friday, October 2, 2026 | St. Lawrence County, NY
POTSDAM -- Randy L. Burke, 80, of River Road, Potsdam passed away at his home on September 28, 2026, while under the care of his loving family.
Calling hours will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home, 21 Park Street, Canton.
A prayer service will begin following the calling hours with Rev. Michael P. Catanzaro officiating.
Military Honors will be performed by VFW Post 1231 Honor Guard on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Fairview Cemetery in Canton.
A celebratinon of life will take place Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at Canton VFW Post 1231.
Memorial contributions are suggested to VFW Post 1231 Canton or to Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.
Randy was born August 14, 1946, in Ogdensburg, NY, the son of the late Ansel and Holly B. Burke.
He graduated from Canton High School in 1963 where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the 1962 football and 1962 basketball teams that were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended SUNY Plattsburgh for 3 semesters where he lettered in basketball.
Randy was proud to serve in the US NAVY from 1965 until his Honorable Discharge in 1969. He served as an aircrewman with Patrol Squadron 5, “The Mad Foxes,” in a P-3 Orion aircraft stationed in Jacksonville, FL, including a tour of duty in WestPac flying patrols in Vietnam. His military awards included Aircrew Wings, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Pistol Marksmanship Medal, Navy Unit Presidential Commendation. Randy was a life member of Canton VFW Post 1231 having served as Commander for ten years, a life member of Colton AmVets Post 262, a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America, a life member of Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Norwood American Legion Post 68.
Upon leaving the Navy, he lived in Memphis, TN, where he was employed by National Trust Life Ins. Co. for ten years, eight of which were in management positions.
He moved back to the North Country in 1979 and was employed by Prudential Ins. Co. for twenty-three years until his retirement.
He then managed the Riverside Liquor Store for three years before joining Key Bank N.A. as Canton Branch Manager for seven years. He was then employed by Community Bank as a part time floor plan auditor.
Three previous marriages ended in divorce. Randy married Linda Forsythe Matthews on July 6, 1996.
He is survived by his wife , Linda, a daughter, Kathy Eidson, TN, a son, Wes Hissong (companion Kimberly Newman), Canton, NY, Tammy (Kyle) Johnson, MA, Jay (Lynne) Matthews, PA, Darlene (Little R) Bessette, Canton, NY, Michael Burke (Christie) MS, and David Burke, Canton, NY. He is also survived by a sister, Linda (Gus) Bellomo, SC, a brother-in-law, Bob Forsythe, Canton, NY, several nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and sixteen grandchildren of whom he is extremely proud.
A grandson, Tyler Bessette predeceased him in 2022.
Randy played softball with several North Country Teams, twenty plus years with The Hoot Owl retiring at age 62.
He enjoyed hunting and spending time at his camp in the woods. He was a devoted to his family, the veteran’s community and the Canton community.
He gladly volunteered for projects that benefited children and veterans.
He and Linda thoroughly enjoyed throwing parties for friends and vets at their home. Randy enjoyed telling jokes and stories and making people laugh.
He became ordained by the Universal Life Church and proudly officiated the weddings of his grandchildren Michael and Leslie, as well as for friends. Randy placed great value in being positive, and always said any success he had was because he surrounded himself with good people and they let him tag along.
Donations may be made to Canton VFW Post 1231, Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, The American Cancer Society, Potsdam Humane Society or Tunnels to Towers.
Tributes, photos and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org
