Death of man devoted to God and his native place

The Franciscan Brother who lost his life in a road traffic accident has been described as a man who loved his community – and embodied everything his beloved Order stood for.

Brother Michael Burke was Minister General with the Franciscan Brothers and was originally from Gortroe, Corrandulla.

The car he was driving collided with a truck on the N62 at Cloghan County Offaly on Thursday afternoon last week.

Brother Burke (66) had a long history of involvement with the Franciscan Agricultural College in Mountbellew until he was promoted in the Order almost two years ago.

The untimely death of Brother Burke sent shockwaves throughout the local community and tributes have been paid by locals in Mountbellew as well as former students of the college.

He taught in Mountbellew Agricultural College and was also house master for many years. He was described by former students as being “firm but fair”.

Former Galway East TD Paul Connaughton said that Brother Mick, as he was affectionately known, embodied everything that the Franciscan Order stands for.

“He was totally committed to his religious calling and it was only last year that the Franciscan Order bestowed upon him the great accolade, of Director General of the entire Order worldwide.

“All his life, in keeping with the tradition of all Franciscan brothers down through the generations and particularly the present cohort of his colleagues, he maintained a wonderful active interest in helping the local community to advance and prosper in good and bad times.

“Whether it was church related activities, educational or sporting activities, he was always available to help and were it not for his particular support, the local agricultural show would not have flourished like it has down through the years.

“Brother Michael was an outstanding administrator and organiser and he left no stone unturned in his efforts to make things happen.

“However, it was his rock solid belief that Mountbellew Agricultural College should survive and continue to provide relevant agricultural education for the boys and girls of the farming community, particularly in the west of Ireland, that his greatest legacy is likely to be”, Mr Connaughton said.

Whether it was at local protest meetings, or at top level Teagasc encounters, or directly eyeballing politicians and government ministers, Brother Michael Burke pulled no punches and his contribution to keeping Mountbellew Agricultural College open and thriving will be remembered for years to come, he added.

“I have known Brother Michael for nearly 40 years and I have seen him help so many people in a most compassionate way.

“He had a great bond of friendship with his own family in Corrandulla and I don’t think I have ever spoke to him, particularly in the past ten years, that he wasn’t either going to or coming from visiting his dear mother.

“Brother Michael liked meeting people and he was a good man to tell a story and could mix the bit of banter and laughter with the best.

“In recent years the Franciscan Oratory was made available for funerals and bereaved families greatly valued the genuine sympathy and friendliness they received in their hour of need from Brother Michael as he stood for hours greeting people as they paid their respects to their deceased relatives”.

Brother Michael only retired from his post in the Agricultural College last year and was elected Minister General of the Franciscan Brothers with worldwide responsibility.

He was a member of a number of National Boards and bodies as well as serving as Chairman of the Board of Management of Holy Rosary College Mountbellew.

In his youth he was a talented Gaelic footballer with his native Annaghdown and was later to serve as a referee with the Galway Football Board.

His remains reposed at the Franciscan Oratory Chapel on Sunday evening last as thousands filed through to pay their last respects.

Then later on Monday his remains reposed at his family home in Gortoe, Corrundull,a before being removed to Corrandulla Church for concelebrated mass of the resurrection on Tuesday and the burial took place afterwards in Cregg cemetery.

He was predeceased by his father John, and brother Eddie and is survived by his mother Sarah, brothers Kieran, Christy, Paddy, Tommy and Johnny, sisters Mary, Nonie, Una and Sally, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, the Franciscan Brothers and communities, relatives, colleagues and college staff and a wide circle of friends.