Gerry Burke

Gerry Burke 2

Brisbane, Qld, Australia

Download Eulogy Presented at the Funeral Mass by Br Vince Skelly

Monday 8th November

Yesyerday and today saw us and many family and friends of Peter Gerald Burke celebrating his life with story, prayer, sadness and joy. It was a time to remember the gift Gerry has been to us and the gift of his spirit which will remain with us on our journey.

Since Gerry's death last Monday, there have been many tributes received which have centred on the urbanity, the obvious goodness, the welcoming graciousness, the unassuming nature, the intellectual ability (particularly in languages) and the characteristic humour and brevity of wit which Gerry brought to us.

Here are a few excerpts from longer tributes:

Gerry was one of the best Superiors I have ever had. The students loved him and his infectious enthusiasm for languages rubbed off on to them. We all remember Gerry's laugh - his face would light up and he would fill the room with his joy and laughter. He was wonderful at creating a sense of family in community and all felt welcome and valued. He had an extraordinary sense of 'freedom' in the truest and best sense of the word; he certainly flew free - but not in that sense of irresponsibility but with that freedom that comes from love - loving loved and being loved.He was such a wonderfully ordinary man who had this extraordinary capacity to be. We are grateful to the Christian Brothers for the many blessings that Gerry brought to us. He will be remembered with much joy.the delightful playful yet steady-as-she-goes Gerry.

I always remember him by his smile and laugh. It seemed to me to be a permanent part of his life and his interaction with others.

I am so sorry to hear of Gerry Burke's passing. I always found him to be a most welcoming and wonderful man, full of life and love of being with young people. I offer you and the Brothers my most sincere condolences.
God be with all of you at this time of loss.
Br. Philip Pinto

Congregational Leader

THANKS:

• To his mother, Mona, and the Grealy family – Gerry's brothers and sisters and to his Burke cousins.
• To Archbishop John Bathersby, Fr Ian Howells and Fr Gerry Hall who celebrated Eucharist with us
• To his community, Vince and Bob at St Leo's, and to the students of St Leo's for their respectful and love-filled sympathy.
• To Vince Skelly for his excellent and devoted eulogy
• To Tim Scott for his dedicated organisation of the liturgies
• To John Hallett for the printing
• To St Leo's staff and Nudgee College staff for readying the venues for the liturgies
• To the Oceania Province staff for hosting the refreshments after the burial
• To all of you, my brothers, who have loved Gerry in life and continue to love and honour him in death.

In our fragility may we continue our journey fully conscious of the men we walk with as brothers.

Ours is a blessed life – a life independently lived yet so interdependent and connected as we relate with each other and all with whom our paths cross. The joy of religious life, our brotherhood, stems from the liberation we have been given and the liberation we can gift to others.

May that spirit of liberation which inspired Gerry be his legacy to each one of us.

Teb Magee (Cluster Leader)

You may wish to add your own recollection of or tribute to Br Peter Gerald Burke. You can do this by adding a comment in the comment section at the bottom of this article. You might also wish to read other people's comments at the bottom of this page.