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Rev. Edmund L. Burke, O.S.A. (1916-1984)

Rev. Edmund L. Burke, O.S.A. entered eternal life April 16, 1984.

Edmund Lawrence Burke was born March 30, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to Lawrence and Jennie (Proctor) Burke. He was Baptized April 16, 1916 at Visitation Catholic Church, Chicago. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation October 14, 1927 at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, Chicago.

He received his elementary education at Visitation Catholic School and St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School, both in Chicago. He graduated in 1934 from Augustinian Academy (High School), Staten Island, New York.

Edmund was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 8, 1934. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1935 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1938.

He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1939. He pursued theological studies from 1939 to 1943 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest May 28, 1942. He did graduate studies in Math and Physics at Catholic University of America, Washington, and additional study at Notre Dame College, St. Louis, Missouri; at Villanova University, Villanova, and at DeVry Technical Institute, Chicago, Illinois.

Father Burke was assigned in 1943 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a Teacher. He taught at Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, from 1965 to 1972. He was transferred in 1972 to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a Teacher. From 1975 to 1979 he was assigned to Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan, where he was a Teacher and Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community. He returned to Cascia Hall, Tulsa, in 1979, and taught there until the time of his death.

During the 1980's Father Burke developed cancer. He died at the Cascia Hall Monastery, Tulsa, surrounded by members of his Augustinian community, on the 68th anniversary of his Baptism, April 16, 1984.

Father Burke was a man who gave himself totally to the community and to his apostolate. During his illness he suffered patiently and continued teaching until a few days before his death.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.