SALEM – Mr. Dameon R. Burks, 45, of Salem, MA passed away on Wednesday, February 22nd. Born in Pittsburgh, PA he was the son of the late Robert Burks and Josephine Rizzo. He was a life partner to Mike Ceceri, with whom he has celebrated 11 years of love and companionship.

Dameon enjoyed going to concerts, attending the theatre, baking, cooking, travel and working out. He was a proud team member at Goodnight Fatty (Salem, MA) where he worked for the past 3 years. He was a client at the Aphasia Center at MGH Institute of Health Professionals, where he worked towards recovering from Aphasia, a condition brought on by the traumatic brain injury he sustained in 2012.

In addition to his beloved partner Mike Ceceri of Salem, mother Josephine Rizzo and stepmother Selena Burks of McKees Rocks, PA, Dameon is survived by his siblings; Candice Zech, John Zech, Darren Burks, and Deanna Burks, and his beloved dog Grayson. In addition to his father, Robert Burks, he is preceded in death by his brother Travis Burks.

Please consider making a donation to the Aphasia Center in honor of Dameon. Your gift will help to advance the Aphasia Center's mission to prepare tomorrow's healthcare leaders and will support their commitment to providing free speech therapy services to people with Aphasia.

To make a gift to the Aphasia Center online:

Visit giving.mghihp.edu Select your gift amount Under "Designation", select "Other" and type in "Aphasia Center" in the space provided. Click the checkbox under Tribute Info to dedicate your gift in honor or memory of Dameon Burks.

To give to the Aphasia Center by mail:

Make checks payable to "MGH Institute of Health Professions" Note the "Aphasia Center in honor of Dameon Burks" in the memo line Mail your check to:

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Office of Development

Charlestown Navy Yard

36 First Avenue

Boston, MA 02129-4557

The Aphasia Center of the MGH Institute is a non-profit 5031(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax deductible for charitable purposes to the full extent allowed by law.

ARRANGEMENTS – Services will be announced at a later date. Assisting the family with arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com