SOUTH PARIS – Omer “Buddy” Burke stopped breathing on March 4, 2021, at his home. He was born on Sept. 17, 1946, and grew up in South Paris where he attended local schools.

He delivered Jake and Andy Donuts for many years and then began his lunch cart that sold lunch to factories and local businesses.

He loved sports and could be found playing softball in the summer with others in the softball league. He was a spectator at his son’s games and frequently known to be an umpire.

His love of horses began when he joined a couple of friends at the racetrack in Lewiston one afternoon. He decided it looked like fun and began by jointly owning a horse and learned how to train a horse and eventually owned some good horses. He started the Maine Amateur driving club to give young drivers a chance to drive a horse in a race with others with the same ability. He was a driving force in creating the racetrack at the Oxford County fair. He spent many long days at the track training horses, then spending time grooming and watering the track.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Becky Brown Burke; his son, Joe of Gray and partner Amber Schade, grandsons, Levi Brown and Holden Burke, and son, Nick Burke and his wife Kenleigh Nicoletta of Freeport; brother, Tom and Richa Burke of San Antonio Texas; sister-in-law, Anita Burke of Derby, Vermont.

He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Burke; and his parents.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and time to be announced.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

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