If Quentin Burke had an opinion about something — and he had many opinions about many things, actually — you were going to hear about it, no holds barred.
And you were going to hear about it in that crackling Australian accent for which he was known.
Burke, the longtime publisher of the Holtville Tribune newspaper, died this week at age 83.
A native of Sydney, Australia, Burke, after graduating from the University of Sydney, traveled all over the world for seven years, doing jobs ranging from railroad car janitor in his native Australia to ship galley boy in the Pacific to cellar man in a Swedish hotel.
Despite all those travels, he and his wife, Ellen, immigrated to the United States and decided the place they wanted to settle was beautiful Holtville. They bought the Holtville Tribune newspaper and its associated printing business and used the newspaper as a vehicle to shine a spotlight on the town they loved so much.
There may have been stronger advocates for Holtville but there weren’t any more outspoken in their love for the town than Burke. Even after he sold the Holtville Tribune in 1990 following 26 years of ownership, Quentin Burke remained a staunch advocate and fierce protector of the city, serving on the Holtville Planning Commission and staying involved in various other community affairs and events.
Burke also was a renowned, award-winning photographer and remained involved in photography throughout his life.
It might seem unlikely that someone from so far away would come to a quiet little town and become one of its leading citizens, but Quentin Burke and Holtville, for whatever reasons, were a perfect fit. He loved the town, embraced it tightly and it embraced him right back.
Quentin Burke found his special community and, through ceaseless efforts, made it a better place to live.
That is a life well-lived.
THE ISSUE:
The passing of Quentin Burke.
WE SAY:
He made Holtville better.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
And you were going to hear about it in that crackling Australian accent for which he was known.
Burke, the longtime publisher of the Holtville Tribune newspaper, died this week at age 83.
A native of Sydney, Australia, Burke, after graduating from the University of Sydney, traveled all over the world for seven years, doing jobs ranging from railroad car janitor in his native Australia to ship galley boy in the Pacific to cellar man in a Swedish hotel.
Despite all those travels, he and his wife, Ellen, immigrated to the United States and decided the place they wanted to settle was beautiful Holtville. They bought the Holtville Tribune newspaper and its associated printing business and used the newspaper as a vehicle to shine a spotlight on the town they loved so much.
There may have been stronger advocates for Holtville but there weren’t any more outspoken in their love for the town than Burke. Even after he sold the Holtville Tribune in 1990 following 26 years of ownership, Quentin Burke remained a staunch advocate and fierce protector of the city, serving on the Holtville Planning Commission and staying involved in various other community affairs and events.
Burke also was a renowned, award-winning photographer and remained involved in photography throughout his life.
It might seem unlikely that someone from so far away would come to a quiet little town and become one of its leading citizens, but Quentin Burke and Holtville, for whatever reasons, were a perfect fit. He loved the town, embraced it tightly and it embraced him right back.
Quentin Burke found his special community and, through ceaseless efforts, made it a better place to live.
That is a life well-lived.
THE ISSUE:
The passing of Quentin Burke.
WE SAY:
He made Holtville better.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
