John Burke

• Name: John Burke

• Age: 50s

• Family: A cat named Cher

• City of residence: Yuba City

• Occupation: Teacher of American Sign Language at Yuba College and Sierra College

• Hobbies, interests: I love Harley Davidsons, classic automobiles, hiking, fishing and helping people. Hiking keeps you young and fishing is so peaceful out in nature.

• Where do you get your news? The Appeal-Democrat newspaper

• What brought you to the Yuba-Sutter area? I am attracted by the small-town feeling with warm and friendly community. Kind of sleepy town feel, too. I am originally from Kentucky and I have been living in Northern California for about 15 years, now with 5 years in Yuba City.

• What keeps you in the Yuba-Sutter area? The many places here that are easy for me to go to - fishing, work, hiking and other outdoors activities

• When/how did you become deaf? At 3 years old, I had an ear infection that started my progressive deafness. It is also genetic; I am the ninth generation in a long line of deaf people. At 35, I became profoundly deaf.

• How would you describe yourself? Outgoing, mellow and humorous.

• What is your favorite place to go in Northern California? Yosemite!

• If you were granted one wish, what would you wish for? I would wish for a strong growth of the local deaf community.

• If you were in charge, what would you change about the community? I would raise awareness of what deaf people are able to do, including work.

• What don’t your friends know about you? I’m ambidextrous.

• Whom do you most admire and why? My father. He was a good role model with a balanced life in both hearing and deaf worlds. He taught me responsibility and the value of helping people. He had a great heart.

• What are some of your fondest memories of him? I have many fond memories of my father. He passed away when I was about 35. I still think about him, especially when I’m working on cars.

• Tell us about a life-changing experience. My first divorce changed my life.

• What was your first job? Fixing classic cars. My father was a mechanic and taught me.

• What is your dream job? Working with deaf children. I was a part-time paraeducator for a while.

• What are your favorite foods? Italian and Southern food