The wake for Father Robert A. Burge will be 9-9:45 a.m. Jan. 7 in Holy Spirit Chapel at Jennings Center for Older Adults, 10204 Granger Road, Garfield Heights.
The funeral Mass, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, will follow at 10 a.m. in Jennings’ Holy Spirit Chapel. Father Mark Hollis will be the homilist.
Father Burge, 79, died on Dec. 17, 2025.
He was born Dec. 24, 1945 to the late Albert and Marcella (Keppler) Burge. Father Burge was educated at St. Henry School, Cleveland; St. Rita School, Solon; Chanel High School, Bedford; Borromeo College Seminary, Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 29, 1971, in St. William Church, Euclid.
After ordination, Father Burge was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Ambrose Parish, Brunswick. During this assignment, he also served as associate vocational director, effective April 10, 1972. Father Burge was transferred on June 24, 1976 to serve as parochial vicar at St. Mel Parish, Cleveland. On June 15, 1982, he was appointed parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain and he pursued Spanish language studies in Puerto Rico.
Father Burge was appointed parochial vicar of St. Adalbert Parish, Berea on June 16, 1988. He was transferred on June 19, 1990 to serve Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Litchfield as a member of the pastoral team. Then on Sept. 1, 1996, he was appointed coordinator of the pastoral team at Our Lady Help of Christians. He was appointed parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Parma on June 17, 1997.
Father Burge was named pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Brook Park, on May 26, 1998, where he served until his retirement on April 4, 2003.
In retirement, Father Burge enjoyed planting flowers in the summer. He also made an effort to attend the wakes and funerals for priests and deacons in the diocese. In addition, Father Burge dedicated his retirement time to prayer and reflection. He was deeply devoted to St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland.