The City of Chelsea dedicated a new park on Congress Avenue Saturday in memory of one of youth sports’ greatest ambassadors, the late James “Bear” Burke.
Mr. Burke, who passed away in 2018, mentored and coached many Chelsea athletes as the leader of the Pirates team in the Chelsea Youth Baseball League, also known as the Pony League. Mr. Burke later took an impactful leadership role in youth football. He was also a long-time advisor to Explorer Post 109.
City Manager Fidel Maltez said the idea for building a park on the long-vacated site was a collaborative effort between the city and GreenRoots.
“This place is going to be a park that is going to be celebrated by the neighborhood,” said Maltez. “It’s adding a lot of light and joy to a lot of kids in this area. It was very clear what the name of this park was going to be.”
Maltez said it was City Councilor Giovanni Recupero, who recommended the park be dedicated in memory of James “Bear” Burke.
“This is a great person,” said Recupero, pointing to a photo of Mr. Burke that was on display at the ceremony. “If anyone deserves anything named after him, it would be this gentleman. This gentleman only did great things for the City of Chelsea. He helped my children and many, many other children. No one is more deserving of this honor.”
Recupero said Mr. Burke lived on Congress Avenue “and he was part of this community his whole life.”
Nancy Burke, sister-in-law of Mr. Burke, spoke on behalf of the family.
“James “Bear” Burke was a lifelong Chelsea resident who dedicated himself to the youth of the city,” said Nancy. “Bear’s love of sports and family motivated him to volunteer countless hours to help other young people enjoy sports in Chelsea.”
Burke noted that her brother-in-law worked for many years for the city’s Department of Public Works until his retirement. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
“Uncle Jimmy was the epitome of Chelsea, a true Chelsea legend. He was a big man with an even bigger heart. Jimmy was kind with a gentle demeanor and quick wit. He was nicknamed “The Bear,” for his size, but he was a gentle giant,” said Nancy.
And that gentle giant now has a park named in his honor, close to the area in which he resided. It is much-deserved recognition for a lifetime of kindness and bringing joy to others, especially young athletes.
“This world needs more Uncle Jimmys, yet there will never be another Bear,” said Nancy. “He was one of a kind and made a lasting impression on the City of Chelsea.”
On behalf of the entire family, Nancy Burke thanked the people of Chelsea “for honoring his legacy by naming this new park right next to his home in the neighborhood where he lived his whole life, in Chelsea, which he loved.”