Funeral of popular Doncaster priest 'Father Tony' to take place tomorrow

Fr Tony Burke died earlier this month at the age of 87.

He was a priest of the Diocese of Hallam since its formation in 1980 and was priest at St Peter’s in Doncaster in the 1970s.

Previously he had been a priest of the Leeds Diocese, ordained at St Stephen’s, Skipton in July 1958.

Born Walter Anthony Burke on 21 February 1933, he studied for the priesthood at Ushaw College in County Durham.

After ordination he was a curate in two parishes in the Leeds diocese – SS Peter & Paul, Yeadon (1958-62) and St Wiiliam’s, Bradford (1962-69).

After a year of study in London he moved to St Peter’s, Doncaster in 1970.

Subsequently he was parish priest of parishes in Rotherham, Sheffield, Chesterfield and Hathersage.

Fr Burke retired to the Craven district and became a familiar face in his home parish of Skipton, once again.

It was here that he celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his priesthood in July 2018. More recently he resided at a care home in Thornton-in-Craven. He died on Monday, 9 March

There will be a Funeral Mass for Fr Tony at 11am on 20 March at St Stephen’s, Skipton followed by burial in the graveyard.

An obituary for Fr Burke said he was ‘more fondly known’ as Father Tony and described him as a “dearly loved and treasured brother to Norah, cousin to Mary and Maureen,uncle to Bridget, Bernard, Sarah and Helen.

“He'll be missed by the extended family, fellow clergymen, friends and former parishioners.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Leeds said: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and may perpetual light shine uopn him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”

It is planned to celebrate a Memorial Mass for Fr Tony followed by a reception at a later date, when travel and gathering restrictions, particularly for the over 70’s because of the coronavirus crisis are relaxed.