RIP. Joe Burke

We received the sad news of our former MSC confrere, Joe Burke.

Joe went to Japan after ordination in 1958, eventually becoming Superior – and having to deal with some difficult situations.

Joe is survived by his wife, Erika, loving father of Amanda and Karen Morrison. Adored grandfather of Alessandro Morrison. Aged 88 Years. Deeply mourned by his family and friends in Australia and around the world.

Many of us have warm memories of him from scholasticate days.

News of his funeral comes from Jim Littleton:

Joe and I were good friends from Douglas Park days, Croydon,  1975 General Chapter and touring Israel and parts of Europe together, and regular visits to him and Erika in Sydney.   Erika organised his funeral at a Funeral Home in Rozelle near where they lived.   I was invited to speak at it which I did for about five minutes on behalf of the MSC.   Barry Smith and John Bosman came with me.   Brian Gagen was also there and spoke for a few minutes.   I was disappointed that there was no Mass, but details had been organised before I knew that Joe had died.

The flavour of memories comes from Russ Andersen writing, “ In the Scholasticate Joe contributed so much to community-building and brotherly support and family laughter......always ready for scratch concerts or impromptu funny items with Frank Crilley or Tony Young or myself somehow involved. Joe made the practices funnier than the actual presentations (which were often flops) but I feel indebted to Joe for his charism of cheerfulness and laughter Thank you Joe....Russ

The site website editor has memories of Croydon when Joe was in the top year and he was the junior in the scholasticate. Joe, a touch angular, cheerfully raucous, larrikin attitudes in the best sense.