Deacon Deacon Harold Joseph Burke Jr. Jr.

Deacon Harold Joseph Burke Jr., a loving husband, father, grandfather, and faithful servant, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the age of 78, at his home in Pearl River, Louisiana. He was born on April 23, 1947, in New Orleans, LA, to Harold J. Sr. and Barbara B. Burke.

Harold graduated in 1965 from St. Aloysius High School and attended LSUNO. He met the love of his life, Leah Barrios, in December of 1964, and the pair was married on August 5, 1967. They grew their family with four children in the following years. Harold served as a weekend warrior in Louisiana National Guard's oldest unit, the 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery Regiment, the Washington Artillery, from 1967-1974.

He started working for South Central Bell in 1967, which led to a move in 1972 to Baton Rouge, LA, to continue his career. In 1987, he and his family returned to the New Orleans area, retiring from the Bell System in 1997.

In 1993, Harold began his studies to become a permanent deacon with the Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and was ordained May 11, 1996. He served his career as a Deacon at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Slidell, LA, until his retirement in October of 2024. While serving as a Deacon at St. Luke, he also worked on staff as the Liturgist for the parish until May of 2019.

After leaving his position as Liturgist, he continued his ministry at St. Anthony's Gardens in Covington, LA, as the pastoral director until October 2024.

Harold is survived by his wife of 58 years, Leah Barrios Burke; brother, Raymond Burke (Nancy); sisters, Eileen Dew, Mary Bates (Gary) and Sharon McMahon (Joseph); three children, Kelly Corkern (Jimmy Jr.), Kasey Walker (Robert), and Donovan Burke (Brigitte); seven grandkids, Brittany Scafidel (Jonathan), Bo Corkern (Jenna), Brandi Corkern (Jake), and Michael, Robin, Liam and Connor Burke; and three great-grandchildren, Ruari Scafidel, Emilia Corkem, and James Corkern, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Barbara Burke; his in-laws, Edwin and Sandy Barrios; brother-in-law, Benjamin Dew II; and his daughter, Sr. Keri Burke, MSC.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Deacon Burke's life on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church located at 910 Cross Gates Blvd, Slidell, LA. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Words of Remembrance to begin at 12:45 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. Harold will be laid to rest in St. Lazarus Cemetery in Covington, LA, following Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center in care of Sr. Ann Lacour (75520 Highway 1081, Covington, LA 70435) or the St. Luke Capital Campaign. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com