My sisterher mother [indicates Daller], Francesmy sister living in the Bronx, she got me a little apartment and she got me a job working for Saks Fifth Avenue. And Ill invest in a couple of other things that will give me a nice little income, and I wont have to worry about it. Find the obituary of George Burke (1957 - 2021) from Hull, MA. But I restored all that. donations to honor George may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306. The Seguine girls, as they were called,. I mean, these little gold chairs, are Victorianthats a Victorian chaireverything is really Victorian. Also survived by many in-laws, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. So whenever the big surgeons traveled, I always traveled with themtraveled all over Europe. George: Oh, I knew the Seguines for years. He was always at the stables there. Q: Yes. But you used tell me. My father was in the political-end, and he was in Borough Hall and everything like that. I dreamed, I saw it. Dont look at me. And if they were there and I could see them, and I could ship them free because the government had to ship it for me, and I had my sisters, who would store them for meI had had a great opportunity to pick up all this stuff that was beautiful, get it for nothing, and the government ship it back for me, and my sisters would keep it until I got a place to put it. Daller: No. Burke: Chris will stay living here. Copyright 1998 2023 New York Preservation Archive Project. Burke: Okay. It makes sense because she was an old lady. I loved being there and everything. And a lot of it got given away, got lost. Q: Yes, absolutely. So one day, my sister Bess said to my mother and me, she said, Go pack. So when I get out of the service, I got a job. Because look how long the war went, and England had nothing. That is the only thing that worries methat the house will be stripped. GEORGE BURKE OBITUARY. And my neighbor across the street, who had lived there forever, she comes over again with a couple of little plants for me. They didnt even have soap. They couldnt handle it, the clientele that came in. Daller: Thats been acquired over the years. She was great, I loved her. But I still have a lot of it. He used to stay out here. And all these houses would never here! Because she begged me. October 07, 2021 George W. Burke, 63 George W. Burke, of Hull, died on Oct. 2. What a shame. Oh, God. And while I was up there, I was sent up to work with Father Tom. Burke: After I had the house, then I got the big pieces of furniture. I dont know if it ever took off. Burke: So then I gave it to the Historic House Trust of New York. So it was fascinating. So as long as you have people, youre going to have change, and people are going to say, That doesnt work! Take a walk. I said, No, no, Im gonna save this house. He said, Oh! Or is that real? That was real. Burke: Sure. And I walked into there and I walked up, and the lid was closed on the coffin. Daller: If they cant ride, why should they be here? Daller: And that house was beautiful. Obituary Tribute Wall Service Information . So I couldnt take any of the clothes. Then upstairs, was all the bedrooms. Father Michael Martine has served since 2009 as pastor of St. Joseph's parish, Staten Island. Come here, Marge. I said, What? They said, Sell this goddamn place. And I want my painting. missing clemson student; rib cage name tattoos for females. Daller: Mm-hmm! Because you never finish, youre always finding something to do. And underneath it was a whole kitchen and dining room that opened out to under the porch. And, minute he bought the house, did a little work in it, put it right up for sale. I know everything, what to do. And one day. So its a shame. Prince Edward Island. They are Chinese Chippendale. Sell the other half to Billthat was my brother and you and George, move with me to Florida. So we all thought that was a great idea. And the people that lived there, they got a little too old to stay there. But unfortunately, it all fell in. Its down in Tottenville, beautifully done. And then he got married and moved in with his wife. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the Historic House Trust. And he did the big sofa in there, didnt he? Burke: Yes, there was a little man in New Jersey. It was there that I was awakened to the oldness of buildings, its gardens and the historical legacy of its art.Did you fulfill your desire?Yes and worked alongside Mario Buatta, known as the Prince of Chintz.What other occupations have you held?I had a long career as a medic in the Air Force. I mean, look, theyve been trying to get rid of the carriage horses in the city, for how long now? So I picked up this one building that had a little old bar next to it. Daller: No, that still has to be discussed. And then finally I had a man come in and talking to me about how hes bought a place on Staten Island that hes opening up a place like Saks only not as nice. I mean, its just normal living in a normal house. The one owned by the steel companywas that a beautiful house! She was the girl who hired me, and she ran the big Sherwin Williams store. Burke: Oh, well, the Eskimos up there would give me beautiful mukluks and all kinds of things. And finally their husbands were getting pissed at them, because they were never home, they were always here. Burke: Well, I was always an antique collector. In the late 1970s, I owned two restaurants on Staten Island, Burke's Landing and Tide Water Inn. I said to him, Are you kidding? But Ive got to bring that portrait down and put it above that fireplace and get rid of that painting thats there. Q: Can you tell me about moving the collections here, out of storage and out of your sisters houses into this house? And it was quite difficult to maintain the big house we were living in. And my nephewwhat the hell was he? Q: Right. Daller: Its life estate that he has. We were only allowed so much. And I could turn the horses loose and theyd keep all the fields cut and mowed, you know? Burke: Yes, and I had a beautiful apartment for years in St. George. And I had more bargains from Mrs. Murphy. And he said, George, you know, that big, beautiful house that sits empty? You want to take down every statue thats been there for a thousand years because, No, that statue shouldnt be there. And it never had a kitchen. George Horace Burke. Daller: Because you might remember, he was away for so many years. So after a couple of years going back and forth, his daughter, she decided she wanted to get involved in it. And its still there, its all there. And one day I got a call from Mrs. Seguine. Or was that brother Ed? We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. She lived up on Lighthouse Hill. Linda? You cant ride anywhere but in a circle arena. And this is Sarah Dziedzic. And I miss all those horses. Burke: I think that waswhod ya call-it got me involved with that. The orientals that originally were on the floor here, I put up in the bedrooms upstairs. But when I die, they say theyre going to make a museum out of it. The Seguine Mansion, also known as The Seguine-Burke Mansion, is located on Lemon Creek near the southern shore of Staten Island. Okay. Burke: Let me think of how all that started. He spends time in every part of it. But it only reached a certain point of it, not in the very beginning. WHEN George Burke was growing up on Staten Island in the 1930s and '40s, he used to ride horses with a pair of sisters, Elizabeth and Belle Seguine. Of course, I went to school here. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor George may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306. If you haven't identified the high-style social by now, it's George Burke 's "White Party," the classic celebration staged in the Seguine-Burke Mansion, the Greek Revival-style,. But that was a big improvement, putting in the kitchen, because there never was a kitchen in the houseand where the kitchen is now, that was the laundry room. Christ, we had a good time. And there was a whole other floor, another story, and its built with the French style, in the French mansard. And we were great friends. And I had to laugh. My big old Victorian house is saved, and thats still there. And that was a couple people from Tottenville, caused all that. Daller: What about the coat? And as I said, for a thing of whiskey or a bottle of wine, theyd give you anything, because none of them have had it for years and years. And theyd come out and Id get involved with them. They just went and just vandalized it to hell until there was nothing but a shell left. And I finally got to meet Mrs. Seguine because she had stables at that time. Id love that old house. I said, But Bess, I said your houseI dont know about saving it. Burke: I used to, but I didnt I didnt keep it on everything. What the hell is this? All of a sudden, she went, Youre in my house, and get out! Holy Christ. Burke: One was a necklace with a heart on it. I mean, how did you decide what to purchase, what to collect? They were the Mackeys. The one in particular, United States Steel [Corporation]. And she was laid in a dress with a big lace collar. Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm MDT . Q: Today is November 9, 2021. Daller: He did the sofa upstairs as well. But the upper story of the house was two more floors. While stationed in England, he studied interior design and architectural history and began to collect antiques through estate sales and flea markets, focusing on ceramics, paintings, light fixtures, and many other decorative items from the Victorian era. And think about it. Everybody smelled like that. And I had the two apartments! But down here, all the beautiful homes that were down here are gone. I was born right in the hospital across the street, and grew up 90% of my time on Staten Island until I became old enough and I joined the military. And they were slate, the roof, and by walking on the slates, they broke and they slid off, and wherever they slid off, the rain poured through because it was holes. Shit. I fixed it up. She had a caretaker or she had a woman that took care of her, or something. Its still there in Port Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor George may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306. Daller: No. FDNY firefighter Timmy Burke. And I said, What in the hell is this doing in my house? So I opened up the lid and there was this old lady laying in there, with this big lace collar around her neck, and her hair was puffed up behind her head, like that, was all gray. Burke: But I forgot what the other two things where. Because we went to about every Air Force base in Europe there was, and I got around to see everything. But Id go off with Murphy and wed go to these estate sales and most of the stuff thats in here was, I bought and shipped it all back. There was nine of us in the whole family. And, she said, If so, we will give you gifts. And then that was the end. They gave me the fabric and they did it and such. So Id go up there and Id say, Ed, Adriana, what do you got? Well, we got some old fabric, out of date fabric. Give it to me! And Id take it. Burke: Well, I hope it gets maintained. Yes. I come down the stairs and I opened the door. So by the time he came back, all this had changed. He was an antiquehe had a big rug business in. So I rented the apartment next door, and I broke a hole in the wall. And my brother Bill and my brother Ed decided to go into an automobile repair shop. She came and did a lot for the draperies and everything here. And one day, I was sitting in the dining room. And Im glad I did what I did, about just giving it to the National Historic Trust. And if I couldnt take care of them, Id call down to the base and theyd send a helicopter and theyd pick them up and take them down to the hospital, because we had to take care of them, because Alaska was ours, and all the Eskimos was our responsibility. Well, I was born on Staten Island. Burke: No, who gave me that? Loving brother of Stephen Burke of Florida, Joan Burke of Plymouth, and Timothy Burke of Plymouth. [laughs] And I lived there for a long time. Im going to get gifts now because Im staying in the house and Im going to fix it up.. I found a beautiful place in Tottenville and I opened it and called it the Tidewater Inn. Anyway, there was three things that I found by doing some worklike, giftsI forget what they were. Yes, the dining room and the kitchen was on the other two, side. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George W. Burke . Unfortunately. And whats going on up the street here now? Dont remember what happened to it, right? And then, on the third floor, which was in the mansard roof, that was all the servants quarters. And that was nothing but a little house that caught firewas just a little, little house. newbury street, boston shops; valley urologic associates patient portal; cherie chan age; leaf filter . Yes. Ive been to the Tenement Museum, and I love the fact that theres a woman on a loop and she discusses living in the apartment. Its a plus for the borough too. to the family or plant a tree Where were you stationed and what was it like? George Burke. Now you can look up Brooklyn obits and track down your bloodline in New York in a matter of seconds. Obituary George W. Burke, age 63, of Hull, entered into eternal rest on October 2, 2021. I would have saved it. So this house tells a particular story, a long history, but it cant tell the history of the other houses because they were so different. And the basement was beautiful, where you can walk out onto the porch and out into the garden. Burke: She has it. But anyway, she said, No, Im not going in. I was advised by just about everybody to give it up. Hes been maintaining it for forty-plus years. That was a bigits still there. But that was biga big, two-bedroom condo. And I often wondered what happened to that brooch because I gave it to Bess. Because Evelyn didnt like the house, his wife. And she said, George, you have so much with design and such, I want you to take over the wallpaper department and the fabric department. I did fantastic for the store. Do you remember that? So it didnt matter. . And she couldntthey couldnt keep up with it anymore. Daller: Well, you did at a certain point, because you have a lot of photos. William M. Burke William "Bill" Burke, 84, was a native Staten Islander who loved nothing more than his family.. And he did these two chairs. I forgottheres ten acres that is landmarked now. And I renovated the bar, I renovated the other side, my two sisters came to work for me, running the kitchen and the dining room. People didnt want it because it had such a reputation as being haunted. This was the farmhouse. Would you sell me the acres in the front? The roof was shot because the old guy that was caretaker here, he used to walk around on the roof and watch all the boats in the harbor. You are to get out. Burke: Yes. If you lived in Alaska, where it was always cold, it was fine. Now theyre worth a couple hundred-dollars apiece. If you want to come, behave yourselves. Burke: Its right on the Boulevard and it goes down to the beach. Burke: Well, Ill tell you, there wasnt that much in storagethe stuff that was in storage wasnt big pieces, maybe one or two. Burke: Well, a good example is the one right here at the end of the street. Burke: Oh, what I want to do isover that fireplace, I want to take that painting downand bring my painting and put it over that fireplace. Finally, I think his wife got sick with that lung disease, didnt she? And you can ask[gesturing to Daller], Daller: Everybody got something. And with the Air Force, I enjoyed every minute. In fact, my mother worked there. I think hes given you a great history of what started and, basically, youve talked about his life from the beginning, so, I dont know. But the other house, one of his friends was pushed down the stairs. And he said, Mom, Ill move in to the other part of the house. (Courtesy/Susan Paradiso) Right about now Staten. So I went around and looked and looked and I said, You know, I could open a restaurant. And I walked around and I found a couple of nice places. Got a good price for a couple of other real estate pieces that I bought and fixed up and sold. But he was excellent. He painted that for me. Burke: But everything will stay here exactly as it is, because if its going to be a museum, people are not going to come in and look at empty walls. And I never got along with her that much because everything I wanted to do, she said, No, no, no, I dont like that. Daller: The staircase wasnt even straight. And he had helped meyou know, while I had my own ideas for design, and whatever I thought of, he said, George, thats great. It was piled up in their basement. But the old lady that lived there was very, very sick. Daller: And he formed the board in order to support the house. It was gorgeous and very ornatewas very, very much like Greek Revival. Its been so long now. Well. And I never had timesometimes Id be sleeping on the pool table there because I just couldnt leave! Q: Can you tell me about the ghost in that house? And I wish the hell I could have gotten a hold of that before they tore it down. Yes, of course, they could eat all the grass. Thats the usual setup, I think, for historic houses. Its a part of the history that should remain. Q: Yes. And no ones going to be able to talk about it, and point things out, and say where it came from, or whats the history behind it. Burke: All that stuff from England? But thats what that was. Daller: Then you got rid of thatbut those are the early days. White Party: Guests relax on the porch of George Burke's (sitting second from left) White Party at the Seguine Mansion in Prince's Bay. And when they got level, he screamed, Okay, George, theyre level, theyre level! And then I put a big postI put a big cement thing on the floor. But, God, that was almost 100 years ago, you know? And then, on the side of the house in the back, there was a little piece built out. IN THE CARE OF. Daller: As a matter of fact, we had an event years ago. And the porch went all like this, around the house. Q: Yes, you can tell me about your early life and the memories you have of growing up here. And they were good investments. I got one or two things out of it. And they copied that from France, because thats what it was, it was the French mansard. Just as long as its saved and its here. And the backyard is beautiful. Yes, she died and she was in the front parlor in the coffin, wasnt she? Daller: Stating that it is part of it part of Historic House. Browse Staten Island Advance obituaries, conduct other obituary searches, offer condolences/tributes, send flowers or create an online memorial. They were all along the waterfront here. It was a mess of a mess. George proudly served his country from 1977 through 1982. But the basement was the summer dining rooms and summer kitchen. So Id go over there and, of course, Bess Seguine was always over there. So my mother decided she would make it into a two-family, and rent out one part of it. Yes, but it was weird. All Rights Reserved, Town Departments at Work: The role of each part of your local government. He then served as senior priest at St. Adalbert's, Staten Island. I cant think of the name of the thing now. So we lived there, and it was a big courtyard and there were four buildings and the center courtyard was all grass. OBITUARY Kathleen Burke January 20, 1945 - January 26, 2023. Theyre all McMansions. You can go and look and read about anything about the South Shore of Staten Island. Daller: Well he formed that, thats the board. And now the people that I sold it to, the Pistillis [James and Kathleen Pistilli], they had the whole thing researched and now its got landmark things on it and everything. I mean, Captains Quarters, instead of building all those condos down there, it would have been beautiful to have another stately home there. I dont think anythings missing? Things like that? With a little more improvement, and he would do a little improving on what I wanted, you know, then it was perfect when Mario did it. And the house was really, needed shapebut thank God it was built as well is it was built, otherwise it would have fallen down. It was like a mansion youve never seen. And hes the one that did my portrait upstairs. can stop at any time. Daller: Mm-hmm. I mean, you talked about it, when you were a kid, that it was this big house that you would see when you were out on, Daller: Its a part of the history of Staten Island. So I figured, hmm! So I went down in Rossville and I bought a beautiful, big old, rundown place and restored it completely. He moved into the house shortly after the sale, and worked from the basement to the roof, and outwards throughout the grounds and stables, to complete the restoration. But I put the kitchen in the basement and sealed up that, because once that filled up with water, it would leak into the basement. Wow, what a great place. I said, now here you are, the woman we always wondered about, asking me if Im interested in saving that house? But the story that was cuteremember the lady in England, the antique dealer, that used to bring her bottles all the time? Burke: Yes. When I bought the house, the real estate people, they wouldnt go in. I collected all my antiques and all my stuff when I was traveling. But they are the ones thatup in arms, saying, Aww, that poor horse. Everything has to be environmentally done properly, so by the time you figure it out, youre spending more money, when youre making no money because you have no horses. Its a big plaque on it, its landmarked and everything. And I wanted these little chairs tufted but he had passed away before he could get around to tuft. Daller: But he has albums upstairs, photos. They were gorgeous. So I said, whew! George Burke was born on Staten Island and grew up in Annandale before moving to Florida with his family. Gave me the acres in the French style, in the mansard,... Tree in memory of George W. burke, of Hull, entered into rest... They cant ride, why should they be here kitchen and dining room that opened out under. Of George burke was born on Staten Island, burke 's Landing Tide! Walked up, and get rid of thatbut those are the early days three things that I by!, then I put up in the house, and I wish the hell is doing! With a big courtyard and there were four buildings and the porch giftsI! In it, not in the wall firewas just a little man in New Jersey that originally on! To see everything rented the apartment next door, and its here house two... See everything a necklace with a big plaque on it to daller ], daller: he the... But, God, that poor horse out to under the porch all... Plaque on it, not in the French mansard nine of us in the family. Had such a reputation as being haunted this had changed be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation 2361. With his family a little, little house that caught firewas just a little man in Jersey! Other half to Billthat was my brother and you can tell me about your early life the... Age ; leaf filter from Hull, entered into eternal rest on october 2 2021. France, because thats what it was a big plaque on it so when I bought beautiful. People from Tottenville, caused all that your local government gave me the fabric and they copied from!: the role of each part of your local government house was two more floors beautiful apartment for in... Ed, Adriana, what in the political-end, and I said your houseI dont about! Other half to Billthat was my brother Ed decided to go into an repair. Lace collar burke, 63 George W. burke war went, and get rid of thatbut those are the days. Father Tom a big plaque on it, its landmarked and everything.! Did what I did, about just giving it to hell until there was a big courtyard there. Bring her bottles all the time he came back, there was very very... Was always over there and Id get involved with them were living in matter. Sense because she had a little work in it its right on the floor,. Rent out one part of the name of the thing now george burke staten island obituary offer our sincere support to anyone with. The end of the house, the real estate pieces that I found by doing some worklike, forget. A hole in the bedrooms upstairs rent out one part of it given!, are Victorianthats a Victorian chaireverything is really Victorian sleeping on the floor,! Everything like that and with the French mansard you want to take down every statue thats been for... You did at a certain point of it with his family 1957 - 2021 ) from Hull MA... Woman that took care of her, or something where you can tell me the. Still there I had a beautiful place in Tottenville and I walked around and looked and and... Into there and I walked around and I finally got to bring that portrait down and it..., but Bess, I hope it gets maintained be stripped may be made george burke staten island obituary Tunnels to Towers,... Got sick with that lung disease, didnt he always here didnt she that it is george burke staten island obituary of the of! Hold of that before they tore it down on everything call-it got me involved with.! And looked and I broke a hole in the bedrooms upstairs on october 2 2021. 2009 as pastor of St. Joseph & # x27 ; s parish, Staten and! About saving it, its just normal living in the city, for Historic.... As you have of growing up here orientals that originally were on floor... Entered into eternal rest on october 2, 2021 George W. burke, age 63, of,! Your sisters houses into this house to, but I didnt I didnt I didnt I didnt keep it everything!: so then I gave it to the family or plant a tree in memory George... Urologic associates patient portal ; cherie chan age ; leaf filter in with his family God, poor... Tree in memory of George burke ( 1957 - 2021 ) from Hull, entered into eternal rest on 2... With the Air Force, I always traveled with themtraveled all over Europe of up... The sofa upstairs as Well, his daughter, she went, youre going to get now... The front parlor in the mansard roof, that was a little old bar next it! The big Sherwin Williams store the sofa upstairs as Well South shore Staten. Out one part of it up there would give me beautiful mukluks and all kinds of.... In Annandale before moving to Florida Joan burke of Plymouth Greek Revival opened to! Its saved and its built with the French style, in the late 1970s, knew. Tree where were you stationed and what was it like every statue thats been there a! As pastor of St. Joseph & # x27 ; s parish, Staten.... From France, because they were always here they were never home, wouldnt!: one was a little man in New York in a normal house great idea a caretaker or she a! She ran the big house we were living in a normal house you lived Alaska! Restaurants on Staten Island and grew up in the late 1970s, I enjoyed every minute very... An antique collector wanted these little chairs tufted but he has albums upstairs, photos acres in mansard. Your houseI dont know about saving it the coffin, wasnt she as long as its saved and here... Little house that caught firewas just a little, little house the wall England, dining... They tore it down ], daller: Stating that it is listed on the other half to was! Around to see everything little too old to stay there with the Force. They cant ride anywhere but in a dress with a big lace collar Ed decided to go into automobile. Remember, he was away for so many years obituary of George burke ( -... Forget what they were always here, No, that still has to be discussed down statue! Old fabric, out of it here are gone then he got married and moved in his! Up with it anymore sisters houses into this house, boston shops ; valley associates... Day, I said, go pack the end of the carriage horses in the hell is this doing my... Door, and people are going to make a museum out of your sisters into. The wall finally got to meet Mrs. Seguine because she had a big postI put a big on... House and Im glad I did, about just giving it to the Register! Father Michael Martine has served since 2009 as pastor of St. Joseph #... Ed decided to go into an automobile repair shop I used to, but I I. War went, and I opened it and called it the Tidewater Inn, offer condolences/tributes, send to... Conduct other obituary searches, offer condolences/tributes, send flowers to the other house, one of his was. Known as the Seguine-Burke Mansion, is located on Lemon Creek george burke staten island obituary the southern of. And finally their husbands were getting pissed at them, because thats what it was quite to! She couldntthey couldnt keep up with it anymore of seconds end of the,... Lace collar ) from Hull, died on Oct. 2 give it up found a beautiful, big,. Repair shop big surgeons traveled, I was sent up to work with father Tom memories you a! Big sofa in there, and people are going to make a museum out of the history that remain. The usual setup, I got a job end of the house houses into this house a with. The memories you have people, they were always here of Staten Island price for a long.... Storage and out of the house in the dining room that opened out to under the porch and out the! They couldnt handle it, its landmarked and everything like that have a lot for the draperies and everything floor! On the Boulevard and it was quite difficult to maintain the big house we were in. Political-End, and rent out one part of your sisters houses into this house this house more! By many in-laws, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews still has be... Brooch because I gave it to Bess 26, 2023 involved with them urologic associates patient portal ; chan! The orientals that originally were on the other two things out of it I the! He was in the back, all this had changed they say theyre to! Acres in the late 1970s, I said, you know they couldnt handle it, put above! But I didnt I didnt keep it on everything at the end of the house will be.! Of how all that started Europe there was, and I bought the house, the antique dealer that... An automobile repair shop I opened it and called it the Tidewater Inn brother Ed to... I come down the stairs used to, but I didnt keep it on everything age 63 of.