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Brendan Burke Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Brendan Burke
A Mom Of An Angel Son
February 1, 2025
May The Rays Of Sunshine of Brendan´s Surround You & Bring A Smile To Your Faces....
Brendan Happily Heavenly Anniversary
A MOM OF AN ANGEL
February 1, 2024
Brendan & Family ~ Surround Everyone With Your Warmth & May They All Continue To Embrace You & Carry On Your Loving Memories...
A Mom Of An Angel
February 1, 2023
Brendan & Family
As Brendan´s Heavenly Anniversary Approaches ~
May Brendan´s Rays Of Sunshine Surround You All & May You Always Feel His Presence...
Lisa Poirier
February 6, 2011
Thinking of my former student.
Wishing peace to his family.
Lanier Meeks
February 4, 2011
Brendan, one year later and I still think about you daily. Thanks for watching over us my love.
February 2, 2011
Brendan & Family:
As your 1 year anniversary approaches know others are thinking of You and Your Family. Always Keep BRENDAN'S Memories in the forefront of each day - and - he will I am sure keep YOU All in his. When His Rays Of Sunshine come through know he is sending you down his warmth.
I did not know Brendan but my son knew of him and from one Family with a loss of a Child do know he is with You.
Happy HEAVENLY ANNIVERSARY BRENDAN
A Mom Of An Angel Son
John Daly
February 20, 2010
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.I didn't know Brendan but what an incredibly brave man he was.I saw his recent interwiew and I'm so happy that his family was so accepting of him.Life can obviously be unfair and short and I'm happy that you all supported Brendan and thank God you have no regrets.Hold onto your faith and know Brendan is with God and our stay on this earth is temporary and we will all be reunited some day.May he rest in peace
Carol Lehmann
February 13, 2010
My prayers and thoughts are with you all. I can still hear Brendan's laughter ring out joyfully over something funny in a St. Mary's classroom.
Know that God is with you!
Mrs. Lehmann
February 11, 2010
Dear Brain;
To you and your family I extend my deepest condolences over the loss of your son Brendan. While there are no words that I can say to take away your pain I assure you that you and your family are in my prayers. I hope in time your hearts will heal and the warm memories of Brendan will fill the void in your hearts and bring joy back to your lives.
Sincerely,
Heidi Kenny
PC 1976
Vail, CO
Marie Cannon
February 10, 2010
Dear Kerry & family,
I am so so sorry to hear such incredibly tragic news. I cannot imagine the depth of the pain for all of you. What an amazing person your son was. When I read the many articles about him it brought tears to my eyes to read about his courage and the amazingly positive impact he left on others in his very short lifetime. You as a mother should be so proud of the person that he became and all the good that he brought into the world. I hope that prayer will comfort you during this incredibly sad time. Please know that I am there for you if I can help you out in any way.
Love, Marie Cannon (Emmanuel College)
Patty Smith
February 10, 2010
Dear Kerry and Family;
I was so shocked and deeply saddend to learn of the tragic loss of your beautiful son, Brendan. After reading all the things written about Brendan, he sure was an amazing and beautiful soul. He will continue to be an amazing and beautiful soul now that he is your Angel... always around you.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love;
Smitty (Emmanuel College)
Lanier Meeks
February 10, 2010
Brendan was a good friend of mine at Miami. We had a few classes together and spent many laughs together. I can honestly say that I was inspired by Brendan. He was so courageous and loving, and had faith in all people. I love him and his big heart and bubbly personality, and I always will. He has accomplished so much in his life and is one of the smartest kids I know. I am proud to have known him and called him my friend.
To the Burke family - I have heard so much about all of you but have never had the opportunity to meet you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and know that Brendan had a profound impact on so many people, and he has so many friends who will always love him and keep his dream alive. I wish you all the best and send out all my love.
Lanier Meeks
February 9, 2010
Brendan & Family:
As You "Brendan" Climb the Stairs to the Gates of Heaven - Turn & Give Your Family The Ray Of Sunshine - the one that will Give Them Warmth & Let Them Know You Have Arrived Safely.
I can only ask that You The Family of Brendan speak his name as if it is in an every day conversation - for once You do this - He Brendan Will Not Be Far From You and Give You That Extra Hug In Life That Will Let You Know You Can Continue In Life Until You All Meet Again.
I am sorry for Your Loss - I too like many have lost a son and can only say his name numerous times through out the day to be reassured he is with me.
An Angel Son
Bro. John Kelley
February 9, 2010
To the Burke Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, and I am actively praying for you and for Brendan.
Brendan accomplished more in his short years than some accomplish in many years. Thanks to his courage and your own love, many gay teens are now safer, and ignorance and bigotry have diminished.
"Is there so much love in the world that we can afford to discriminate against any kind of love ?!"
-- Fr. Mychal Judge, FDNY Chaplin & "the Saint of 9/11"
+ Saint Mychal Judge, pray for us.
February 9, 2010
To Brendan's family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. Brendan was an amazing person. He brightened each day for everyone he came in contact with. He was a kind and caring friend. Brendan will never be forgotten. Your family is in my thoughts.
Brendan is looking down on you and will watch over you forever.
Sincerely, Brigit C.
February 9, 2010
Kerry,
Your dorm room was opposite mine the year you graduated.
May I offer my most heartfelt condolences.
Joan Ayotte
Corey Dinopoulos
February 9, 2010
I never had the chance to meet Brendan but he was an inspiration to myself and my friends with similar coming out stories. He was an amazingly talented guy who accomplished dreams with a great big smile. My prayers go out to him and his entire family.
S Field
February 9, 2010
To the Burke family,
My family never knew Brendan, but as a parent can feel your loss. Losing a child is never easy to accept. Brendan has left this earth, but his legacy will live on forever.
We hope that Brendan did make an impact on how people think. Bless him for coming out and expressing his true feelings.
We applaud the Burke family for supporting Brendan, as so many families don't. Brian is well known in the hockey world and I am sure many have a different view of him now, knowing that he never turned his back on his son.
In time the pain will ease, but the void will always be there. Cherish your memories, as they never will leave you.
Field Family of Whitby, On
Jennifer Briand
February 9, 2010
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
February 9, 2010
Brendan was an incredibly courageous young man, but more than that--he was a great person. He has made, and will continue to make positive impact on the lives of every single person who knew him, and thousands that only knew his story.
May your faith comfort you in this time of loss. My sincerest sympathies.
Steve & Chi-Chi Stirling
February 9, 2010
To Brian and family,
Please know our sorrow for your loss and that you are in our thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy.
Saundra & Mike Molinari
February 9, 2010
Kerry, Molly & family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this time. We will be thinking of you daily and of Brendan as he make his next journey at this time. We send our love. Saundra & Mike
Bill O'Brien
February 9, 2010
To the Burke family,
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I did not know Brendan or your family. Please know that he will live on as an inspiration to those who need a little support and courage.
Anne Lynch
February 9, 2010
Hi Brian,
We were so sorry to hear about your son Brenden. Our sincere condolances.
Anne Lynch and Bob Howard
Karin and Nate Greenberg
February 9, 2010
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Burke family on your terrible loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Ray DiPietro
February 9, 2010
Brian... Deepest condolences to you and your family... You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Trish MacCormack
February 9, 2010
To Brian Burke & Family,
While I have never met Brendan I am inspired by his courage and integrity. May his legacy give you strength during the difficult days ahead.
Marie-Chantal Leblanc
February 8, 2010
Deepest condolences to the Burke family; Brian, Jennifer, Kerry, Katie, her husband Jared, Patrick, Molly, Mairin and Fiona Gracie. You guys are in on thoughts.
Maura Finnegan Aborn
February 8, 2010
Dear Kerry and family, I am so sorry to read of your terrible loss. Although words cannot even begin to help you heal, please know that there are many of us out here praying for you and hoping to give you strength. Maura Finnegan Aborn
Jan Cyr
February 8, 2010
My dear Elaine and Ed.
We are all deeply saddened by the loss of your grandson Brendan. Please know that you are all in our prayers.
All our love, Jan and Cliff and family and also Ted.
Heather McCarron-Allard
February 8, 2010
Dear Brian, Kerry and family,
Our deepest sympathies on the tragic loss of your son Brendan. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
May God give you strength and comfort.
Heather, Scott, Hope, Grace and Brendan Allard
Valerie McCormick
The McCormick and McCarron Families
February 8, 2010
Dear Kerry and family, ..Deepest condolences to all of your family...You all are in my thoughts and prayers..Ellen (Gildea) Leeber
PETYA LOWES
February 8, 2010
DEAR BRIAN BURKE
I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THE LOSS OF YOUR SON. I NOW HOW THAT FEELS OF LOSING YOUR CHILD.MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
Tom Corliss
February 8, 2010
To the Burke Family, I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your son and brother. Although I never knew Brendan I knew Molly and her mom from attending athletic events at Notre Dame with Brittany. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this hardest of times.
Tom Corliss
Maurizio damore
February 8, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
February 8, 2010
So sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences to your family and may God be with you all. May he rest in peace. Brendan accomplished much in his short life and that is what counts - not the length of years.
A Shell
February 8, 2010
So sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences to your family and may God be with you all. May he rest in peace. Brendan accomplished much in his short life to further the cause of understanding for ALL people and that is what counts - not the length of years.
February 8, 2010
Dear Brian and family,
There are no words one can express to lessen the pain during this most difficult time. We grieve in your sorrow over the loss of your great son Brendan.
Our sincere condolences.
Marsha Christensen
and
Debra Parker
Nikki Zieba
February 8, 2010
Dear Burke Family,
We would like to offer you our heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of your son Brendan. You do not know us but we are linked by this club that no one ever wants to belong to. We understand the difficult journey ahead as we also lost our son, Ricky Zieba last June 09 at the age of 22 in a car accident.
The loss of a child is the most painful event a parent will ever live through. As I read the guest book, I can tell that he was a very special young man with so much to live for and a lot to offer. May you always hang on to those special memories. I hope that one day they fill your heart with a smile as mine do at times. The pain doesn’t really go away, you just learn to live with it.
I only wish I could give you a short cut for your journey. Unfortunately, grief is very individual. You must do what feels right for you.
I hope you all find comfort in each other and the beautiful but short legacy he left behind. May his smile be forever visible in your mind.
The only thing that has helped me was reading this book that was left for my son when his girlfriend passed away in Feb 09 call “Journey of Souls” by Michael Newton. Then I read Destiny of Souls.
These two books made me realize that our children are only gone in body, their souls live on. Maybe, this will help you, it has made us stronger.
I wish for you that your son sends you a sign, he will if you look for it. Remember, shivers are hugs from your son.
Children our not ours to keep, they are only on loan by God.
May God give you strength and comfort.
Nikki, Richard and Jason Zieba
February 8, 2010
Brian,
My deepest sympathy on your loss of your son, Brendan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cheryl McCormick Brown PC '75
February 8, 2010
Dear Kerry, With heavy hearts we send you this note filled with prayers, love and friendship. Rick and Val Rydland
February 8, 2010
May the Lord's grace shine on you. Rest in eternal peace.
The Andrade Family, Toronto, Canada
Anne Kutzbach
February 8, 2010
To Brian,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Brad Stewart
February 8, 2010
Dear Burke family:
My condolences for your loss.
Eadie
February 8, 2010
My prayer for the family and friends of Brendan Burke is that we can bathe in the warmth of all that is Brendan and continue to find his gifts in each of us
February 8, 2010
Dear Ed and Elaine,
Sending you my heartfelt condolences at this extraordinarily difficult time.
With love and sympathy,
Bernardine Strom
February 8, 2010
Our prayers and condolences go to the entire Burke family, on the loss of your beloved Brendan.
Joe & Linda Mullen
Philadelphia, PA
Virginia Atwood
February 8, 2010
Kerry and all the Burke family members...Brendan's smile says it all, a young man with so much promise and life ahead, that his untimely death will leave such a hole in so many hearts and the one in each of your hearts that his memory will fill and always be strong...thinking of you at this time and the days to come...
Ginny Atwood
February 8, 2010
Words alone fail us...we have deepest regrets for your entire family...Lori, Paul, Mccauley and Maxwell Stewart
Jamie Luedtke
February 7, 2010
Dear Burke Family,
My deepest sympathies for your loss. I have not had the privilege of keeping in great touch with Brendan, but remember our memories at St. Mary's fondly. God bless you and your loved ones in your time of mourning. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Sean Dias
February 7, 2010
I'll miss you Burkey, may you rest in peace
Mary Lang
February 7, 2010
Dear Brian, Kerry and Family:
Brendan was always very friendly. I know how proud you are of your children. Take solace in them.
Our hearts and prayers go out to all the Burkes and Gilmores.
Mike, Mary, Hannah and Michael
Fr. Jeff Silver
February 7, 2010
The prayers and sympathies of the parish family of St. Mary Church & Catholic Campus Ministry in Oxford, Ohio go out to all those Brendan held dear, especially to family, friends and the students and coaches of Miami University's hockey program.
February 7, 2010
We were your neighbours on West 12th Avenue in Vancouver when Brendan was born. Brendan had that same beautiful smile when he was an infant. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Miriam Gropper, David Whiteley, Fanny and Sam.
Ann (Cormier) Johnson , PC 77
February 7, 2010
Dear Brian and Family,
No love is as great as that between a parent and child. May this love sustain you during this very difficult time.
My deepest sympathy.
the Sundin Family
February 7, 2010
Dear Burke Family,
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Brendan. He was a remarkable young man. We are keeping you in our prayers.
Love,
February 7, 2010
Dear Kerry and Molly,
So sorry for your loss, what a devastating shocker...you are in our thoughts. Molly - Sam and Sarah were so upset, they knew how close you were to Brendan...we are so sorry and Kerry, it's just not fair...it is just too sad.
With Sympathy,
Judy, Ron, Sam, Sarah, and Randi Whitham
Fr. John Peterson, O.P.
February 7, 2010
Dear Brian,
No words of mine can mean much now, your loss is far too great and much too close. But in behalf of our Dominican Community at PC, I want to make known to you and to your family, our deepest sympathy.
A Mass for Brendan has been celebrated in our Priory Chapel on campus, and in the praying we are doing, we'll continue to remember him...and you.
It is my hope and I pray that your son is now at Home, in a far better place, enjoying the fullness of peace our Risen Lord was born to bring, and gave his own life to insure.
At a time such as this, nothing anyone says makes much sense. Perhaps better than most I know that. But maybe the words of a gifted Trappist monk might help: Thomas Merton wrote: Death is where the "hills" end...and the
"stars" begin. Brendan's "hills" are over now. It's his time to be with the "stars" and their Source. May the deep, inner, peace that thought can bring, be with you and your family...especially now.
May Mary, the temple in whom God's Son became a priest, keep you near, in her care.
With His Love and all mine,
Michael Norton
February 7, 2010
Our hearts ache for you! Please know we love you and you are in our thoughts and prayers! God bless you all - Please know that Brendan is being lovingly welcomed in heaven by Pat and Mike who loved him dearly!
Love Mike, Karen, Caroline and Olivia Norton, Portland, CT
February 7, 2010
IN MEMORY OF BRENDAN GILMORE BURKE
MY SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO MY DEAREST NIECE, KERRY, ON THE DEPARTURE OF HER SON, BRENDAN, TO HIS UNTIMELY, ETERNAL REWARD. ALSO, TO MY BROTHER, NED, ELAINE AND ALL THE FAMILIES. TO BRIAN AND ALL THE BURKES, MY LOVE AND SYMPATHY. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU HERE IN FLORIDA.
ALL MY LOVE,
AUNTIE (AUNT PEGGY)
Robert Petroff
February 7, 2010
To the Burke Family:
Deepest condolences on the passing of Brendan.
Karen Johnson
February 7, 2010
My most heart felt condolences for the tragic and devastating loss of your precious son Brendan.
Every time I saw Brendan coming up the stairs to visit next door he would smile, hold the door, joke around and just radiate the most kind and friendly attitude towards someone he barely knew. The laughter and love that I would hear in the hallway coming from your place Brian made me so happy for you. I miss you and Patrick since you moved and wish we could go back a year or two to me hearing you and the kids over there laughing and just being so happy together.
With everything going on in the world today, you have the right perspective and it shows in your family. You and Brendan's mom Kerry must have given an awful lot of love and ongoing support over the past 21 years to have such a truly great child. As the mom of a hockey boy I know the time and dedication you both had to put in to support him. These are the things that help make such a good character and strong family commitment. I hope my son turns out as wonderful as Brenan when he's a young man of 21 and can not even imagine the pain you are in.
We miss you and hope you continue to gain strength and support from the wonderful memories you have of Brendan and the strong family around you. Our thoughts are with you always.
February 7, 2010
My son, stephen, attended Xaverian Brothers with Brendan. I am very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. God Bless. Jeanne Nolan
trevor whiffen
February 7, 2010
We are so sorry for your loss. The whole hockey community is sharing in your sorrow. We will keep the Burke family in our thoughts and prayers.
Trevor Whiffen
London Knights Hockey Club
David
February 7, 2010
Our deepest sympathies to the Burke family, now and forever.
Anne Brennan Malec
February 7, 2010
Dear Burke family,
My heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of Brendan. He was such a wonderful friend to Mike and Kim, more like a brother. His courage and example are incredibly inspiring. He will be greatly missed. Very sincerely,
February 7, 2010
Dear Kerry and family-
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time.
Julie Gelerman
THE THOMAS FAMILY
February 7, 2010
BRENDAN WAS HERE FOR SUCH A SHORT TIME,
BUT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE SO GREAT! HE SPOKE FROM HIS HEART,OPENED THE MINDS OF MANY,LIVED THE MOMENT,AND BRIGHTENED DAYS WITH HIS INFECTIOUS SMILE! MAY YOU ALL FIND STRENGTH AND PEACE.
Rebecca Simonson
February 7, 2010
I only knew of Brendan through stories of a friend of your daughter, Molly. I am so very sorry for your loss. May your family and friends help you through this horrible , horrible time. May his memories bring u solice and may G-D comfort u in this tradgic event.
February 7, 2010
My deepest condolences straight out of LeafsNation. (certainly to both sides of the family)
Réal Thibault
Church Point, Nova Scotia
Deborah Glynn
February 7, 2010
To the Burke family, My deepest condolences. Brendan was a wonderful , caring and compassante young man. I knew Brendan from working at Xaverian.
Deborah Glynn
Gary Fay
February 7, 2010
Brian & Burke Family: Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Brendan.
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