Fair-minded in laying down law
A RESPECTED former magistrate and beloved father of nine has been remembered as a man of great integrity.
(Edmund) Owen Bourke died, aged 84, last Tuesday after suffering complications from polio he contracted as a teenager.
Mr Bourke was born in North Geelong on May 23, 1934. One of four children, the keen footballer dreamt of being in the military.
Mr Bourke was destined to go to Duntroon but contracted polio, which left him with a permanently paralysed right leg. He was only 16 at the time and spent two years at the Geelong hospital.
After his release from hospital at age 18, Mr Bourke finished his education and became a law clerk in 1953.
He spent time in courts in Geelong, Sunshine and Melbourne.
The former St Joseph’s College student first spotted his wife-to-be Pat at a local dance. The pair married and had nine children — Gavin, Julie, Matthew, Damian, Gaye, Tim, David, Tess and Paul.
Son Damian said his parents’ marriage was “a great love story”. “They were married 60 years and were terrific together,” he said. Mrs Bourke died earlier this year.
Mr Bourke went on to study law and later became a highly respected magistrate and coroner. He spent many years on the Geelong-Colac circuit where he was known for his fairness.
“He really grew into the position — if you talk to anyone in the legal fraternity they will say Dad was tough but fair,” Damian said.
Mr Bourke retired young, aged 55, in 1989. He spent his early retirement pursuing hobbies and travelling to Ireland with his wife to learn about his family history.
Mr Bourke’s health began to deteriorate in recent years, with the late effects of polio leaving him in a wheelchair.
His family and friends say Mr Bourke never let his polio impact his life and always had a positive outlook.
Mr Bourke will be farewelled at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Manifold Heights tomorrow at 1.30pm.