The body found in Lombard June 18, 2020 has been identified by family as Cormac Burke, 22, of Downers Grove. Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
The Trinity Sober Living organization created a post written for Cormac. It reads:
This is my friend, Cormac Burke. He passed away yesterday morning. I’m sad, heartbroken, and a little bit angry. Not at him, but for his wonderful Mom and Dad, his brother, and little sister. Cormac was just 22 years old. He was Trinity’s first resident on July 27, 2019. I loved him from the minute I met him. He was smart, good-looking, strong, and had a personality that made you love him....hard! He was complicated, emotional, but had so much spirit. He loved his family so much. He loved his Irish roots. He was proud of his little brother and sister. He wanted to be his Dad when he grew up. He loved his Mom for everything she did for him!
I’m angry because his life was just starting. I’m sad when I read or watch the news. I understand there’s issues going on in the world. I understand the strife between black and white, right or left, rich or poor. However, We, our community, our towns, our country has lost focus on what really matters!! Addiction does NOT discriminate. It affects white, black, rich, poor, young, and old. Addiction doesn’t care about your race, color, religion, or age. It just kills! Young lives, like my friend Cormac, are dying at alarming rates! 70,000+ Americans will die from an Opioid overdose this year! 70,000 people!!! DuPage County has seen a spike of 30%+ just this year. I’m not just angry, I’m pissed!! Cormac, like myself and millions of other people, suffer from addiction and mental illness like depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc... My friend Cormac struggled most of his young life. This is common. My friend doesn’t have to struggle or suffer any longer. I’d like to think he is causing all kinds of mischief and has everyone smiling and laughing up in heaven. He’s now a guardian angel to many of us. Cormac was so easy to love! He was also helped and loved by so many! From Justin, Phil, Kurt, Pam, Emily, Luke, Big Don, Matt, and many many more! Most of all he loved his family more than anything in the world. People close to me say I helped Cormac as much as we could. Maybe that is true. But, I’d like to think that he helped me and all of us way more than we ever did for him. I truly believe it was God shining through Cormac. I’d like to think that God needed him in heaven. He certainly left his mark on our world for the short time he was here. God bless you Cormac!! You were a friend to so many!! Until we meet again, my friend. Love you brother!
CORMAC BURKE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Since Cormac's death, his family started a scholarship fund in his name. It reads:
Cormac’s parents have kindly and generously made Trinity Sober Living the recipient of any donation to the “Cormac Burke Scholarship Fund”. 100% of all donations will be used to help lower the financial burden of the monthly fees for a resident. Our Clinical Director (Paul Gay) and myself will select potential recipients to receive the scholarship. Recipients will have to demonstrate their commitment to their recovery program. Thank you in advance for your consideration to helping recovering individuals from alcohol and drug addiction.
To donate, please visit our website at www.trinitysoberliving.com
INITIAL REPORT:
The Lombard Police Department responded to a body found Thursday, June 18, 2020 located at the northeast corner of St Charles Road and Elizabeth Street where they discovered a body.
They released a statement stating they believe this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public, with no foul play suspected.
While they have the identification of the deceased individual, they are waiting to release that information pending family notice.
No other information has been released.
