Burke died at the Mater Hospice on Sunday after a long battle with illness.

He was aged 60.

A son of Wallabies great Cyril Burke, Paul carved out successful careers on the rugby park with The Waratahs and cricket field for Waratah-Mayfield. He also coached rugby at Lake Macquarie.

At Waratah-Mayfield, as well as a distinguished player, he served two stints as club president and is a life member.

Burke was also a highly-respected teacher at St Paul's, Booragul and was heavily involved in junior sport.

Admired as a "true gentleman of Hunter rugby", Burke's former teammates, players and students paid homage to him on the Hunter Rugby facebook page on Monday.

A skillful No.8, Burke represented Australian under-17s in 1977, was part of the Waratahs first grade side which were joint premiers with Merewether in 1979 and was named in the club's team of the decade from 1976-85.

He coached the Tahs first grade side between 1993 and 1996 and was the Hunter Rugby Union coach of the year in 1994.

"Paul played 198 games for The Waratahs and was the club's inaugural club captain in 1981," The Waratahs president Alex Robson said.

"His passing will impact many members and supporters of The Waratahs rugby club, the cricket club and the Lake Macquarie rugby club where he had a stint as coach."

Burke also excelled at cricket. An all-rounder, he represented NSW Schoolboys and in 1985-86 was the Newcastle Herald District player of the year.

He made his first-grade debut aged 16 and went on to represent Newcastle in the 1980s, rubbing shoulders with NSW and Test players.

In a life-long association, he played 314 games (14^th all-time for Waratah-Mayfield.) and amassed 4965 runs and 661 wickets.

"Affectionately known as "Burkey" to all, Paul was a man that earned the respect of the entire Newcastle cricketing community - both as a talented all-rounder in his playing days, and as an administrator and leader later in life," Waratah-Mayfield president Josh Brackenbury posted on the club's facebook page..

Burke is survived by his wife, Sue, and children, Kristen, Melissa and Jono.

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