Kevin Burke is a lifelong resident of the Bronx, the third of four children born to Bridget (née Hoare) and Michael.  His mother hails from County Kerry, while both of his father’s parents hailed from County Galway.  Kevin and his siblings grew up in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, where they attended St. Frances of Rome Grammar School.  He went on to attend high school at Mount St. Michael Academy and later graduated from Manhattan College with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.  In January 1985, Kevin joined the NYPD (Housing), and by August of that same year, he was sworn into the FDNY.  After graduating from the Fire Academy, he was assigned to Ladder Company 51 in the Bronx.  His career progression included promotions to Fire Marshal in 1994 and Lieutenant in 1996, where he was eventually assigned to Ladder Company 35 in Manhattan.  In March 2003, he was promoted to Captain and returned to the Bronx (Division 6).  In February 2004, he found a home in Engine Company 71 in the Melrose section of the Bronx, where he continues to proudly serve.  Kevin is a member of both the Emerald Society and the Holy Name Society.  Having grown up in Wakefield, Kevin hasn’t strayed far; he moved just “over the bridge” to Woodlawn (sometimes referred to as County Woodlawn). In 2004, he convinced Diane (née Flanagan), affectionately known as “the beautiful one,” to marry him. In 2016, his stepson Michael married Eilish Reilly in County Cavan, where Eilish is originally from.  They now reside nearby in Yonkers.  Kevin and Diane are active members of St. Barnabas Church, where they were married and continue to live in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx.