PERMANENT DEACON FRANCIS B. BURKE

1939 – 2020

Retired Permanent Deacon Francis B. Burke, age 80, died on March 12, 2020.

Deacon Burke was born on June 10, 1939 in Philadelphia.  He was the son of the late Francis B., Sr. and Martha Burke (nee Aftanis).  He was the husband of Phyllis Burke (nee Howard), since September 3, 1994.  Prior to this marriage, Deacon Burke was married to Rita Dugan, who died on February 24, 1989.  Deacon Burke was the father of Patricia Dever; and stepfather of Catherine Brown, and Ellen Croyle.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three siblings.  He is predeceased by his sons Frank, Charlie, and Daniel; his first wife, Rita; and his stepson, Fred Jerdan.

Deacon Burke graduated from Saint Thomas Moore High School and LaSalle University.  Deacon Burke was ordained on June 6, 1999, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, by His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, and was immediately assigned to Saint Bernadette of Lourdes Parish, Drexel Hill.  He remained there until his retirement in June 2016. He worked as the Treasurer and Controller of the Atlantic City Press and later worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a business manager for several parishes.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, beginning at 9:30 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM, at Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, 1035 Turner Avenue, Drexel Hill.  The principal celebrant will be Reverend Shaun L. Mahoney.  The Deacon of the Mass will be Deacon Thomas Fitzpatrick. Interment will be at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.