Joseph A. Burke

Joseph Aloysius Burke (August 27, 1886 – October 16, 1962) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York from 1952 until his death in 1962. Biography Early life Joseph Burke was born in Buffalo, New York, to Joseph S. and Amelia (née Howard) Burke. The son of a boilermaker, he wanted to enter the priesthood since the age of six. He attended Canisius High School and Canisius College, both in his native city. He made his theological studies at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. Priesthood Returning to Buffalo, Burke was ordained a priest by Bishop Charles H. Colton on August 3, 1912. During World War I, Burke was attached as an Army chaplain to the 91st Division of the US Army on the Belgian front. After the war, he served as a curate and pastor in the Diocese of Buffalo, and as a teacher at Mount Carmel Guild and at D'Youville College in Buffalo.