John Reinke Obituary

Father Reinke helped me a lot daily in the Fall of 1959 when I was a junior at Loyola Academy. He had great patience and helpfulness to me along with my great mother when I had anxiety problems. Thanks to them, I pulled out it after three months. I will never forget Fathers Reinke and Legris for what they did for me at Loyola Academy and also for my beloved mother. May they rest in peace in heaven forever.

I have many fond memories of Fr. Reinke especially the 1948 Alpha Delta Gamma convention in New Orleans. May He Rest In Peace.

When I was a student at Loyola U., I sang with Fr. Reinke's Gershwin Group. He would go to New York, see all the musicals, then return to us and play all the scores from memory! We respected his genius but, more, we loved him. Paul Erbach

Three months to the day we celebrated our 50th wedding anniverwary at St Henry's Church,Fr.

Reinke officiated at the mass and made a big production out of the renewal of the vows..Our 4 children that he had known since birth had a great time remembering his magic tricks (especially pulling the quarter out of the ear)> I knew Fr. Reinke from the time I worked at the Lake Shore campus in the late 1940's , through his and our stint in Cinti, Oh, back to Loyola in Chicago and have always kept in touch with him after moving to TX and Ca.He was one of the best friends I had and will continue to be in my memory.

At the renewal of our wedding vows, as an afterthought, he commented that we both deserved to be canonized. We hope that eventually comes to pass...

Father Reinke was a great friend of the Bulfin family mainly through my Dad, the late Dr. Matt Bulfin. He was a friend for over forty years. My Mom, Jean, recently got a very nice letter from Fr. Reinke when he learned that my daughter, Molly, had applied to Loyola. She will be a third generation Bulfin to attend. We were all saddened to hear of his death.

To all my Uncle John's many dear friends in the Chicago area, especially members of his Jesuit community: THANK YOU for being his "family" all these years that Chicago has been his home, and for showing him so much love and kindness through the years. Uncle John was the youngest child in his family, my mother's "baby" brother, the only son who was adored by his parents and his 3 older sisters, all of whom preceded him in death. I know that there must have been an unbelievably joyous homecoming in heaven when he finally joined the rest of his immediate family there, and I imagine them all gathered around a heavenly piano singing Gershwin tunes and praising God, for all eternity!

God bless you all--

Love,

Kathy

With respect for the memory of a fine priest and friend, and with great appreciation for his many contributions to Loyola Academy in a variety of roles and over several decades, we pray for his full enjoyment of the sight of God.

When I was a junior at Loyola Academy in 1959, Father Reinke was the Director of Guidance. I had a problem with anxiety starting in August and with the help of my kind mother and the amazing patience of Father Reinke and God's help, I pulled out of it in December. I recall when one of my teachers, such as Father Legris, noticed that I was having trouble in class, he called on Father Reinke and Father would come and take me to his office to calm me down. Also, he spent many hours with me after school in his office patiently listening to me and assisting me. Even when I was a senior and he became the Principal, he continued to see me and hear my confession regularly. I often told him and thanked him and I will never forget the extraordinary patience and kindness that Father Reinke gave me to get through this difficult period in my life. I am deeply grateful for what Father Reinke did for me. May God bless him and may he be at peace with the Lord forever.

John was my superior before and after I left the Jesuits. He was extremely kind and considerate in helping me to make the decision and the adjustment after leaving. A truly great Jesuit, a Godly man of considerable stature. I will miss him, and have another reason to look forward to the "Communion of Saints".

Fr. Reinke, I have always looked up to you ever since I met you which was probably when I was twelve. You epitomized intelligence, wisdom, style, reverence, musical talent and a very keen sense of humor. I don't believe in my 52 years I have ever met anyone who has even come close to possessing even a few of the attributes I came to appreciate in you. You were a true joy to be around. As an adult I marvel at the relationship you had working with my mother all those years. Thank you for being there for so many important events in my life and for being such an inspiration for all who knew you. I feel truly privileged for having known you and appreciate all that you have done for our family over the years. May you rest in peace. Kathy

Dick and I were so sorry to hear of Fr. Reinke's death. In our hearts forever will be the mixed bittersweet memories of his music with his priestly presence at my parents' funerals.

Fr. John Reinke was loved very much by the Connelly family from Loyola Avenue. He was part of our lives for as far back as I can remember. I can remember when he was a scholastic and we called him "Mr. Reinke." I was even one of his subject's when he got his degree in psychology at Loyola. But most of all I will never forget his wonderful music. He used to come over to our house and play the piano for all of us - and I remember especially when our mother was dying, he came over and played for her - and it meant so much to her. When our dad, Hicks Connelly, died recently at the age of 96, dad requested that Fr. Reinke be on the altar for his funeral, and he was. He will be greatly missed by many, but especially by the Connelly family. My husband, Cas, was also fortunate to live with Fr. Reinke at Loyola Academy when he (Cas)was in the Jesuits. We were both praying that Fr. Reinke didn't have to suffer long, and it looks like our prayers were granted. I'm sure he's playing a grand tune for our mom in Heaven!



Jinx & Cas Kotowski

Thanks for bringing so much joy and music into our home on Loyola Avenue.

You were dearly loved by all the Connelly family and you will be missed.

I will treasure all our e-mails. It was fun reviewing my childhood with you over the past year.

With deep love and affection,

Moe Connelly Taylor

The Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus remembers John Reinke with affection for his 71 years of service and is grateful to the many friends and benefactors who helped make that service possible.