Reverend Robert Joseph Burbank, Class of 1964, died Thursday, February 4, 2021. We extend our deepest sympathy to Fr. Burbank’s family and friends at this time of loss and offer them our prayerful support.

  • Calling hours will take place at Saint Mary Church (of Saint John Bosco Parish), 731 Main Street, Branford on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
  • The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair will be the principal celebrant at a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Mary Church on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at 11:00 AM.
  • Burial will follow at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield.
  • The Funeral Mass will be limited and RSVPs are requested. Those members of the clergy who are interested in attending the Funeral are asked to contact Fr. Matthew Gworek by phone or email to indicate this by Monday, February 8th.
  • For those who cannot be in attendance, the Funeral Mass will be streamed live at the following links: www.facebook.com/saintjohnboscobranford  and www.youtube.com/saintjohnboscobranford.

May he rest in peace.

Reverend Robert Joseph Burbank – Clergy Bio

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Reverend Robert Joseph Burbank was educated at multiple Catholic schools, attending Saint Augustine School, Cathedral High School, and Holy Trinity High School in Hartford. He then began his college seminary studies at Saint Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield before studying philosophy and theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. Ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Henry J. O’Brien at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford on May 7, 1964, Fr. Burbank’s early assignments included work as an assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Waterbury, Saint Thomas Church in Thomaston, and the Church of the Assumption in Manchester. He would next be named Co-Pastor at Saint Rita Church in Hamden, where Fr. Burbank would remain for several years before moving to serve the community at Saint James Parish in Manchester and then being named to the Collaborative Ministry Team of the Mission of Saint Elizabeth Seton (to later become Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish) in Rocky Hill. Following that assignment, he would serve as Pastor Emeritus, and later Administrator, of Saint Vincent de Paul Church in East Haven before his final retirement in 2006. Even following his retirement, however, Fr. Burbank remained in residence serving the Branford community for several years at Saint Mary Church.