Max Burnell Obituary

Burnell, Max age 90 of Evanston, IL, passed away October 20, 2004, in Dallas, TX. He was born May 7, 1914, in Duluth, MN. A graduate of Duluth Cathedral H.S. in 1935, Max was a top honors student and a 2-year All-State Football player. While in high school, he lettered in 5 major sports during his junior and senior years. He went on to graduate from Notre Dame in 1939, and while there was a member of the Notre Dame Monogram Club, lettered for 3 years in football, and played in the college all-stars game. Following his college years, he played professional basketball for the Detroit Eagles, and professional football for the Chicago Bears in the early 40's. Max is renowned for his high school football coaching career of 36 years, including 15 years as Athletic Director and coach. His longest tenure was St. George H.S., where he coached for 20 years and accumulated: A National Championship 1943, 2 Chicago Mayor's Bowl City Championships, 4 Catholic League Championships, 9 undefeated League Division seasons, and a winning streak of 22 consecutive victories. During his coaching career, he achieved a win/loss record of W303, L92, T21, and was voted Coach of the Year 8 times, including once at Bishop Lynch H.S. in Dallas, TX. Additionally, he is listed in 4 Coaches Halls of Fame. In 1992, Coach Burnell was awarded the Frank Leahy Award by the University of Notre Dame for his outstanding coaching and leadership of high school athletes. He was Catholic, and was also a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Max is survived by his son, Max H. Burnell, Jr. & wife Carol of New Orleans, LA; daughter, Marla Moser & husband Jake of Rockwall, TX; 7 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Tuesday, October 26, 2004, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1305 Damascus Rd., Rockwall, TX, with Monsignor Don Fischer officiating. Interment will follow in Rockwall Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A Memorial Mass in honor of Coach Burnell will be held 10:00 am to noon, November 13, 2004, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Evanston, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The Max Burnell Memorial Fund, c/o The Christian Brothers, 7650 County Line Rd., Burr Ridge, IL, 60527. Rest Haven Funeral Homes-Cemetery Rockwall-Chapel, 2500 State Highway 66, East, Rockwall, Texas, 972-771-8641