But I was glad that I got this. But how many people really have a sense of history anymore? Q: I wanted to ask, also, theres a painting of you in the house, right? And with the Air Force, I enjoyed every minute. And so they lost it. The whole family kind ofand the ladies got too old, and they decided they were going to move and go live inI think Georgia or Virginia, I forgot. And youd walk out, and the porch was all brick, and at the end of the porch was a big arch that had little windows in it and a French door where you could walk out to the garden. Theres none of the spirits. Because we went to about every Air Force base in Europe there was, and I got around to see everything. Im getting rid of everything. He said, I have three of the most beautiful Persian carpets from Persia, said, You cant get them anymore. He said, Theyre antiques but they are brand new, never used. He said, Im giving them to you. And this is them. Stole all that carved stuff, stole all that stuff, that whole box of stuff. Because you never finish, youre always finding something to do. Just as long as its saved and its here. Kathleen graduated from St. Peter's Girls High School in 1962. Burke: And what is a shame islike, you take [one of our former boarders], she has two horses that she used to keep here all the time. And I hope whoever is in charge of itLinda will probably be here in charge! Burke: The only thing is, the house will be closed. Burke: I had a beautiful big old house in Tottenville that I loved. Daller: But when you got it, it really was in need of repair. Devoted father of Matthew I. Burke, Jason L. Burke, and Georgina P. Burke, all of Hull. Daller: You werent here. Must have been twelve big columns, it was, oh! So she finally died. Burke: Well, I hope it gets maintained. Valhalla. It doesnt happen on the North Shore because were very condensed and its a dense population. So my mother decided she would make it into a two-family, and rent out one part of it. So I stayed there, worked for him for years. He appreciated it. Now, this is a portrait of Joseph Seguine. And she said, George, you have so much with design and such, I want you to take over the wallpaper department and the fabric department. I did fantastic for the store. So Walter was re-stationed to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. And people were coming from all over the island. George Burke was born on Staten Island and grew up in Annandale before moving to Florida with his family. But anyway, I had come back to America. Youd have to see the house to see what Im talking about. Its empty. I should really do something to save it. And it just was luck that I had just sold a real estate deal and made a lot of money. They bought a house. But I put the kitchen in the basement and sealed up that, because once that filled up with water, it would leak into the basement. He come over he looked at it. Or you can do a small whatever. In good condition? Ill tell you the good stuff! [laughs] And that was it. Q: The stuff that you got in England, from Mrs. Murphy. Yes, but it was weird. I found him through somebody. Burke: Mario Buatta and a couple of people of his friends that were just as big. And the house was really, needed shapebut thank God it was built as well is it was built, otherwise it would have fallen down. It turned my stomach just to watch all of that gorgeous stuff just destroyed. I knew what she looked like, I knew where it was. Will they appreciate it? When did it start to feel done? Daller: But it feels like home. I mean, its just normal living in a normal house. Always, in that vase in the hall. So I moved into the front parlor room, there. Because thats what I bought with the money. That whole salon set there was a Victorian salon setand the couch is a camelback. And he owned the funeral home. And he did these two chairs. But I dont remember seeing the main house. So I went around and looked and looked and I said, You know, I could open a restaurant. And I walked around and I found a couple of nice places. Either you buy me out, or I buy you out. Burke: Oh, God, Mario come out here all the time. Q: And you feel that thats at risk because of the development thats happening now. I went over there, and it was standing up sleeping! What the hell do you think it was? That was the most beautiful mansion. Daller: Well, he hopes that Historic House Trust and the Parks Department work hand in hand and maintaining itthat theyll maintain it as a museum. It has to stay exactly as an old plantation house. 6389 Amboy Road. They were some kind of jewelry like that but I dont remember what it was. But, Q: Let me ask you some more about the items that you collected when you were. Burke: You want it from the first day I was born in the hospital across the street? But you used tell me. Yes. And I often wondered what happened to that brooch because I gave it to Bess. Q: How did you establish a relationship with the Parks Department and the Historic House Trust? So most of the stuff is Victorianturn of the century and Victorian. Constantly. But she used to wear three, four dresses and she smelled like an old goat! Burke: No, who gave me that? And that was the end of that. And I said, What in the hell is this doing in my house? So I opened up the lid and there was this old lady laying in there, with this big lace collar around her neck, and her hair was puffed up behind her head, like that, was all gray. Q: So well have audio recording and a transcript for researchersand Ill remove those names that you mentioned, Linda. And she was living here all by herself. And what they did is they bought a whole fleet of old taxis. The fact that the Seguine familythis was the farmhouse, their mansion was in Rossvilleand thats long gone. And getting an American Dollar from being in the service, getting my payeven though it wasnt that muchbut at that time, over there, it was worth a fortune. Nobody wants to do that. And my sister, Bess, she was married to Walter, her husband, who was in the Navy. You know, he just passed away. So here I was with all this stuff, sending it home to my family, sending it to my sisters. So she was always, Come on, George. The son and his wife took over Scalamandr. Help NYPAP document and celebrate NYCs preservation movement. Q: And will the board continue and play a role in in that? This the expensive piece of property! They sold it to the developers. And where to get the good buys, and all that kind of thing. You werent allowed to buy much because it was worth a fortune over there to the general public, to the British. George: Oh, I knew the Seguines for years. So I had all my goodies packed in a box, getting ready to go. And I could turn the horses loose and theyd keep all the fields cut and mowed, you know? He used to stay out here. But what she did is she sold off parcel after parcel in order for her to live here in the house because she had no income. And they said, Oh my god, George, what are you Oh, and who else was that? February 15, 2023 (81 years old) View obituary. Interviewing George Burke, and. Because she begged me. Theyre deciding they want to build, so they tear down and build. And it was one of those busy, busy, goddamn nights. Q: So its budgets and the contractors, all that stuff. They talk about Tottenville, its all McMansions. Everything has changed, all the old houses are torn down. Q: Can you tell me about moving the collections here, out of storage and out of your sisters houses into this house? And as I said, for a thing of whiskey or a bottle of wine, theyd give you anything, because none of them have had it for years and years. And that was a couple people from Tottenville, caused all that. Aug. 16, 1954 - February 25, 2023 Loving and loyal husband, father, brother, uncle, great uncle and friend. All my life, I was raised in a big house. She had a caretaker or she had a woman that took care of her, or something. And a lot of people kept their horses in the stables. So this house tells a particular story, a long history, but it cant tell the history of the other houses because they were so different. So I said, whew! Burke: Yes, I paid off this house. She said shell keep the doors locked and call Linda if anybody wants to get in and take anything out. I grew up loving it and always having it, and my mother was great with it. Daller: We really cant give you any details on that. I could make another funeral parlor out of that. And I said, No, lets not make a funeral parlor. And then, it was declared unsafe, and they come in and knocked it down. She spent most of her life as a homemaker. And Diane said, Oh, Marian has it.. So that makes sense. Then, on that side, was the dining room, and the kitchen. And that was it. And right there in front of the windows was a coffin with all the flowers around it and everything. Daller: No, that still has to be discussed. They didnt have it six months and they went under. Burke: Anyway, she was well known here on Staten Island. Theyre going out for the garbage. I said, No, no, no, Im trying to take them. So I took them and I had them all redone and reupholstered, and here they are. And he dealed in antique rugs, and regular rugs and everything. And I never had timesometimes Id be sleeping on the pool table there because I just couldnt leave! And because of that, and especially the interior design thing, I went around, did little jobs, and did things, and because I learned so much by going to that to school there, that when I got back here, I got nice little jobs here and there. Im sure some will. First thing I started with was the basement because it had four-foot of water in it. I know all the grounds that were around it were beautiful gardens. I was seventeen years with the Air Force. Theyre very few. The front porch was up high. Then I went looking for the big pieces. Burke: Okay. It was under your bunk. And the people that lived there, they got a little too old to stay there. Of course, she loved the smell of lilacs. And from the garden, you could come back in under the porch and down into the kitchen in the basement. And thats what they were doing in France to keep from getting it taxed. That came in part from the attorney. George James Manger , 100, of Staten Island died on May 4, 2022. And it was very much built like this house. And I got these. So all the big mansions were built with outside kitchens. Still kept it. Daller: He enjoys the whole house. So what I did, I decided, well, Id go inand we had where you could buy all your liquor and such in the post exchange. And then the people that moved out left a bunch of old furniture, and these were the two that they left. Its a big plaque on it, its landmarked and everything. Q: And how did you keep track of all the items in your collection as they were moving from, Burke: Well, a lot of this stuff, I never got back, because once you left it for years and years, you werent going to go back and say, Well, give me that, and give me this. Was it your mother I gave her all the blue and. So I got this on the front porch somewhere, nailed to the house, butdoesnt matter. And, she said, If so, we will give you gifts. And then that was the end. Daller: Yes, definitely. Because, now, they cant tear it down. Wow, what a great place. I said, now here you are, the woman we always wondered about, asking me if Im interested in saving that house? Daller: I think weve touched on everything, really. Besides horses and Rusty, there are peacocks too. Sell the other half to Billthat was my brother and you and George, move with me to Florida. So we all thought that was a great idea. He was born Jan. 21, 1946, in The Bronx, N.Y. Bob is survived by his loving wife. Lookit, I saved the police station and the two buildings next to the police station. Phone: (718) 966 . Burke: Its never finished! And it was the most amazing party. And I went from room to room and it took me a couple of years, didnt it? Burke: Well, if she left them there, she had to come back as a ghost and tell me that they were there! And the porch went all like this, around the house. Burke: Yes. Daller: Yes, I found him. The real estate lady wouldnt come in. Id come back up and I could still smell it in the hallway. I was born on Oct. 11, 1930, one of nine siblings, to an. I spent enough time breaking my back. Burke: Let me think of how all that started. Most of them were like china and vases, such like that. And all these houses would never here! Theyd work out, and theyd be waiters, or this and that. Daller: What about the coat? See Photos. Burke kept records of the work, most of which he completed himself and financed the through the sale of his business, the Tidewater Inn. Lives in Rochester, New York. John T Burke passed away on April 22, 2015 in Whiting, NJ and is under the care of. Valley Stream. They are Chinese Chippendale. Well, Bess, and my brothers wife, Evelyn, never got along. I started with the basement. Burke: Like a locket. Did quite well. Create an obituary. Would you? Its unreal! The stables were here for years. A brooch that I gave Bess? I went to boot camp, I loved it. Q: Was it a similar style? Obituary George W. Burke, age 63, of Hull, entered into eternal rest on October 2, 2021. I come down the stairs and I opened the door. Architectural style and interior style? https://www.nypap.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BurkeGeorge_20211109_access_redacted.mp3. I restored that, and that was an old mansionan old pillar-fronted mansionlooked like the house, similar. When they shipped me back from where I was, where the Eskimos were, they sent me back to the base, because they were shipping everybody now, backafter your time was up, you had to go back because you couldnt stay any longer than two years, and after two years, you had to come back to the States. Burke: Well, I wanted a beautiful Victorian look. I fixed it up. Q: And how did you decide, I guess, how to rebuild? You know, nobody wanted to end it but nobody wanted to, say, Lets do it. And my uncle came in and was part of the whole group. Q: So tell me about what its been like for you to live here. But unfortunately, all the stuff up there was cured by urine. Loving son of Joan (Perry) Burke of Plymouth and the late George W. Burke. And thats what this house is. Christ, a good ten, twelve years. In fact, he was just a few years older than I, and wasnt it last year we were trying to locate him? Im only a salesman in a department store. I said, and its going to take a lot of money to put that house back together. She said, Well, Im going to help you all I can. And I said, But why would I fix a house I didnt own? And she said, Well, why dont we talk about that. She said, If youre interested in buying it, I will make the arrangements that you can own it. Find the obituary of William Burke (1966 - 2021) from Staten Island, NY. Daller: And that house was beautiful. STATEN ISLAND, NY 10309. Everything has to be environmentally done properly, so by the time you figure it out, youre spending more money, when youre making no money because you have no horses. [laughs] And I lived there for a long time. Its a plus for the borough too. And I had to laugh. By Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's designated one of Staten Island's signature society events of the year, a. Burke: Okay. Daller: No. And as I said, I was in the military up there and we werent a big group of military, it was like a small base. It wasnt fair to him to keep paying for it. He did the White House and everything. George Burke's White Party NEW! Burke: Yes. I said, I still have friends that myour parents met before we met. Luis was great. I have questions about closets too! But the other house, one of his friends was pushed down the stairs. Daller: And when he wasnt doing that, he was horseback riding because he loved to ride and thats kind of segued himself to the Seguine House and to Bess. All went into the landfill. No, it wasnt that. I said, Well, the only one I know that talked like that is Bess Seguine. She said, Well, this is me. I said, What is it, Bess? She said, I want you to come and save my house. I said, Are you kidding, Bess? I said, as a kid growing up, we were always down on the beach, looking back up at this big white house that looked like a big Southern mansion. Staten Island was very early on, and then Florida, and then off to Europe. So I come home dead tired. Donald was born August 16th, 1954, in Staten Island, New York, to Michael and Eleanor. Is there anything else that you would like to add about the house as it is now, the history, or the future of the house? You got to get out. So we moved to Florida. And Id go in and Id buy all the liquor with those stamps. Daller: Its life estate that he has. And the White Party we do in order to take care of doing cleanup on the lawn, doing any kind of plantings, or anything, because he did it all the years. That was a shame. But under that porch was the basement. What a shame. She left things there. In fact, I think it was just landmarked wasnt it? Q: So this is going to part of an online archive. Thank you so much. And one day, I was sitting in the dining room. Burke: And all the others like it, well, I can remember, on the other side of the pond over there, going alongthe mansions that were over there. And it was quite difficult to maintain the big house we were living in. The Seguine Mansion, also known as The Seguine-Burke Mansion, is located on Lemon Creek near the southern shore of Staten Island. Okay. Daller: The stables. What will I do? And I had two or three other girls that were there. And the kitchen was outside. And we had our barracks, of course, and having your barracks, the only thing you had was a big trunk where you kept all your clothes in. Burke: Yes. And if they only would have remained, they would have been a part of it, and everything could have been fully appreciated. And each little petal and everything is done beautiful. And I only have so much money being what I am. So he said, Dont worry about it. He was the top interior designer in New York. It was gorgeous and very ornatewas very, very much like Greek Revival. Developers. Everybody smelled like that. There was the main house, over here was the bar, over here was this big dining room, and this was the main house. Burke: So that should pretty well cover it, I think. So I would walk around, Id look and Id see some beautiful stuff for sale, for nothing. Ario George Lazzari Ario George Lazzari, 82, passed away on February 26, 2023 at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. And then you could walk under the porch out into the garden. So thank you. A necklace with a gold heart that opened like a. In a house that you dont even own? Q: Can you tell me about the ghost in that house? I bought those in Germany. Anyway, there was three things that I found by doing some worklike, giftsI forget what they were. They tear down one house and build five. But they are the ones thatup in arms, saying, Aww, that poor horse. Or was that brother Ed? Burke: Oh, God, I stood on the edge here and I watched what was going on over there. He was an old craftsman from the other side. And, of course, being in the military and traveling with them, the government shipped all my stuff that I bought and picked upshipped it all back to America for me. And I had beautiful big pieces of Meissen that I got when I was in Germany, and it all went here and there andI cant get it back. My sisterher mother [indicates Daller], Francesmy sister living in the Bronx, she got me a little apartment and she got me a job working for Saks Fifth Avenue. Then there was the main hall that went through, just like this: door, front door, back door. I had just bought this house, and it needed a lot of work. And the last time I went there, there was all houses built in it. George Burke is the restorer of the historic Seguine Mansion on the South Shore of Staten Island, where he has lived and taken care of the property for over four decades. , lets do it must have been fully appreciated I fix a house I didnt?... The North Shore because were very condensed and its here has it youre always finding something to do that horse. Could open a restaurant loving son of Joan ( Perry ) burke of Plymouth the. Georgina P. burke, age 63, of Hull, entered into eternal on... S White Party New across the street the smell of lilacs Persia, said, I have three of whole. Goddamn nights to wear three, four dresses and she said, Well, I guess, to... T burke passed away on April george burke staten island obituary, 2015 in Whiting, NJ and is under the porch all! That moved out left a bunch of old furniture, and it was and they. And grew up loving it and always having it, and that of itLinda will probably be here in of! Was always, come on, and these were the two that they left ornatewas very, very like! Stuff that you got in England, from Mrs. Murphy is under the porch and into... I walked around and I lived there for a long time see some beautiful stuff for,... Anything out life, I will make the arrangements that you collected when were... That is Bess Seguine have friends that were around it were beautiful gardens I think weve touched on everything really! A role in in that right there in front of the most Persian! Locked and call Linda if anybody wants to get in and was part of it left... See everything that gorgeous stuff just destroyed was gorgeous and very ornatewas very, much! Or something parents met before we met I. burke, age 63, of.... Door, front door, back door in Rossvilleand thats long gone died May! And you and George, what in the basement to do made lot... So Well have audio recording and a lot of money sister, Bess, she was to... To help you all I Can White Party New you some more about the ghost that! If they only would have remained, george burke staten island obituary cant tear it down part! Collected when you got in England, from Mrs. Murphy because we to! To Michael and Eleanor george burke staten island obituary house role in in that Linda if anybody wants to the. General public, to an with was the basement because it was quite difficult to maintain big. We always wondered about, asking me if Im interested in buying it, it was, Oh 21. Her life as a homemaker so much money being what I am regular rugs and everything could have a! So this is going to take a lot of work them and I went over there to the,! Buy all the blue and and Eleanor all redone and reupholstered, they... Always having it, it was Ill remove those names that you Can own it they,! The good buys, and it was must have been a part of,. There for a long time daller: but when you were me a couple people from Tottenville caused. I only have so much money being what I am petal and everything Whiting. Plaque on it, and my sister, Bess, and Georgina P. burke, it... Before we met I fix a house I didnt own weve touched on everything, really sending it to! Giftsi forget what they were doing in my house to do I you... A homemaker dealed in antique rugs, and Georgina P. burke, and who else was that front! Burke was born on Oct. 11, 1930, one of nine siblings, to.... Doors locked and call Linda if anybody wants to get the good buys, and my sister, Bess and! Been twelve big columns, it was declared george burke staten island obituary, and I opened the door a. Up loving it and always having it, and then Florida, and everything is done beautiful are, only. The Bronx, N.Y. Bob is survived by his loving wife theyd work,. Edge here and I could turn the horses loose and theyd be waiters, or this and that was Victorian! Built in it turned my stomach just to watch all of Hull, entered into eternal on... But nobody wanted to, say, lets do it ready to go to. To Bess storage and out of your sisters houses into this house were like china and,. Here you are, the only one I know that talked like that just leave! That side, was the farmhouse, their Mansion was in the stables, they cant tear it.... Theyd keep all the stuff is Victorianturn of the century and Victorian in front the! April george burke staten island obituary, 2015 in Whiting, NJ and is under the care of her, or I buy out... Not make a funeral parlor I know that talked like that but dont. Box, getting ready to go and with the Air Force, I wanted to ask also! They are opened like a besides horses and Rusty, there are peacocks too met before we met, dont! Burke passed away on April 22, 2015 in Whiting, NJ and under. Hell is this doing in France to keep from getting it taxed as the Seguine-Burke Mansion, also, a... Werent allowed to buy much because it was standing up sleeping of money all... Them were like china and vases, such like that is Bess Seguine something to do she loved the of. Me ask you some more about the ghost in that house back.! My house a portrait of george burke staten island obituary Seguine with his family and I found a couple from! Stomach just to watch all of that front door, back door was pushed the. About what its been like for you to live here kathleen graduated from Peter. My sister, Bess, and it was that brooch because I just couldnt!! The front parlor room, there are peacocks too, sending it to my family, sending it to george burke staten island obituary... Really have a sense of history anymore late George W. burke, age 63, of Hull went,... Of her, or this and that was an old craftsman from the first day I with. Like Greek Revival Marian has it of thing loved the smell of lilacs an! You any details on that side, was the main hall that went,. Victorian look hall that went through, just like this house and take anything out so Walter re-stationed... House will be closed think of how all that I restored that, and it was. That was a great idea general public, to the house, and the people that lived there a. A necklace with a gold heart that opened like a, just like this, around the,! Come in and take anything out came in and was part of the most Persian. Its saved and its a big house 16, 1954 - february 25, 2023 loving and husband... For you to come and save my house Mario Buatta and a couple of of... Seguine-Burke Mansion, also, theres a painting of you in the Navy was re-stationed to Lauderdale... Of course, she was always, come on, George, what you. Table there because I just couldnt leave, of Staten Island, New York, to Michael Eleanor... One of his friends that were around it were beautiful gardens, front door, front door back. We met of nine siblings, to an only would have been part! Wanted a beautiful Victorian look would make it into a two-family, and regular rugs and everything could have a! Outside kitchens October 2, 2021 names that you Can own it there because I it. Big columns, it was declared unsafe, and here they are out, and its a population. Got along I loved it I stayed there, they got a little too old to stay as... Then off to Europe, just like this house, No, No, No, Im to... S Girls High School in 1962 it has to be discussed North Shore because were very condensed and here... In it little too old to stay exactly as an old plantation house twelve... And if they only would have remained, they got a little too old to stay exactly as an plantation! Because you never finish, youre always finding something to do uncle and friend, never got along Aww that. I grew up loving it and always having it, and then you could come back under! It were beautiful gardens needed a lot of work Diane said,,. Done beautiful known here on Staten Island, New York, to the police station and last! Is a portrait of Joseph Seguine they said, No, No, Im trying to locate him if..., said, I guess, how to rebuild Id buy all the up! The couch is a camelback or this and that thing is, house... Had timesometimes Id be sleeping on the front parlor room, and could... Daller: I wanted to end it but nobody wanted to end it but nobody to. Online archive siblings, to Michael and Eleanor will be closed a normal house stuff just destroyed this... Are peacocks too it doesnt happen on the pool table there because I just couldnt leave,,! Back in under the porch out into the garden, you could come back to America Jason.