Ronnie William "The Rock" Burke, 53, of Crisfield, went to sleep in the arms of Jesus after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake. A golden heart stopped beating and heaven has gained a beautiful soul.

Born in Crisfield on March 20, 1961, he was a son of Elmira Burke Ford of Crisfield and the late Richard Burke.

Ronnie was a waterman and partnered with his brother, Randy, on the water for many years. If there was anything you needed to know about the water, Ronnie would be able to tell you. Everything he knew about working on the water, he learned from the best, the late Buster Somers. Ronnie also loved hunting, which he enjoyed doing with his son, Daniel "Peeper," and he loved fishing, which he often spent time doing with two of his sons, Brian and Daniel. Ronnie was loved by all who knew him and he leaves behind a lot of broken hearts.

Besides his mother, he is survived by three sons, Rodney Burke, Daniel Burke and his wife, Billie Raye, and Brian Burke and his wife, Marlo all of Crisfield; six grandchildren, Danielle, Cassie, Marissa, Dominick, Ariana, and Chloie all of Crisfield; two brothers, Rick Burke and his wife, Pam of Temperanceville, VA and Randy Burke and his wife, Kandy of Crisfield; one sister, Robin Windsor and her husband, John of Crisfield; his beloved dog and faithful sidekick, Boo Boo; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Along with his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rona Betts, and a nephew, Bunky Britton.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 16, 2015 at 2 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home, where a viewing will be held Thursday from 7-9 PM. The Rev. Harvey Tyler will officiate. Interment will be in Sunnyridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 406, Crisfield, MD 21817.

To send condolences please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com.