Henry Burke

CONWAY......Father Henry J. Burke, age 86, a retired priest of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, died Thursday, September 9, 2004 at his residence following an illness. Father Burke was born July 5, 1918 in Red Bank, New Jersey a son of the late Harry and Mary Cogan Burke. Father Burke was pre-deceased by two sisters: Agnes Burke and Mary Burke. Father Burke attended St. James Catholic Elementary and High Schools in Red Bank. He attended St. Charles College Seminary in Catonsville, Maryland and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, NJ. He was ordained a priest on March 17, 1945 in Trenton, NJ, and that same year joined the Glenmary Home Missioners, serving mission churches in Ohio and Georgia. Father Burke came to South Carolina in 1948 as Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Cheraw. During that time he transferred from Glenmary to the Diocese of Charleston. As a Priest of the Diocese, he subsequently served at St. Ann, Kingstree; Our Lady, Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach; Our Lady of Lourdes in Greenwood; St. Peter in Beaufort; St. Peter in Columbia; Our Lady of the Hills in Columbia. In many of those assignments he simultaneously served mission chapels affiliated with the main parish. After a sabbatical year, Father Burke was assigned in 1976 as Administrator and first resident Priest at St. James in Conway, along with the Catholic Mission of Loris. Subsequent assignments were at St. Mark Parish, Newberry; St. Andrew, Myrtle Beach: St. Mary Hampton with St. Anthony, Ridgeland. His final pastorate was at St. Mary and St. Cyprian in Georgetown, together with the missions in Andrews and McClellanville. He retired on his 50th anniversary of ordination, March 17, 1995. In retirement, he lived in Murrells Inlet and later in Conway. He remained active, assisting parishes thoughout Horry, Georgetown and Florence Counties and beyond. He celebrated Masses in both English and Spanish, which he had taught himself, served as Chaplain for Mercy Hospice, and ministered to hospitals and nursing homes. He also continued his active interest in music. Father Burke has no survivors. A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 AM Thursday at St. James Catholic Church with Bishop Robert Baker of Charleston as main celebrant. The body will be received at the Church at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, with visitation continuing through a Vigil Service at 7:30PM. Burial will be private at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be sent to St. James Cartholic Church Hispanic Outreach, 1071 Academy Drive, Conway, SC 29526 or to Resurrection Catholic Church Building Fund, 1929 Business 9 East, Loris, SC 29569 or to Mercy Hospice of Horry County, PO Box 50640, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Henry Burke

September 9, 2004