Burying Father Tim

by Tom Robertson

Burying Father Tim is a fictional story rooted in the power of the human spirit. Narrated by a doctor who returns to his old neighborhood for the first time in nearly forty years to attend the funeral of his boyhood parish priest, the story blends hilarious accounts of childhood escapades with the timelessly poignant theme of loss. Reminiscences resonate as the story unfolds, evoking laughter in one moment and tugging on heartstrings the next. Whether you attended Catholic school or merely know someone who did, there is a lot of all of us in the story of Father Tim.

Genres: Fiction, Coming Of Age

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Tom Robertson was born in Joliet, Illinois and attended Catholic schools for eight years, where he first learned to negotiate, on more than a few occasions reducing his sentence to time served for various venial sins and classroom transgressions. He graduated from the University of Illinois, where he played varsity baseball, and holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Tom lives in the Chicago suburbs.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir about a young man who goes back to his hometown to attend the funeral and burial of his former parish pastor, Fr. Tim. Fr. Tim has been there for Mike's family for a very long time, from the critical illness and death of his younger brother Henry through Mike's days as a
student and altar server at St. Basil's school and church. This book featured a lot of Mike and his school day friends like Pinhead, Lou the Screw, Joe the Bum and their ridiculous pranks. In the end, however, it is the poignancy of Mike's memories of Fr. Tim that grab the reader and make you hold them in your heart. Anyone who spent their childhood in a Catholic setting would really relish this book.

[Becky Yanak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! It is a fictional story about a group of young boys who attend Saint Basil Catholic school during the 60’s and the relationship they had with their priest, father Tim. The main character Michael goes back to this home parish to attend the funeral of father Tim after being away for over 40 years. He reflects on those early relationships and experiences. The stories are nostalgic , transparent, tender and humorous. Some of the stories I could relate to, some of them made me laugh out loud, some of them brought a tear to my eyes. We all should be blessed with a Father Tim in our lives!

[Matt Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saccharine. Cynical and reminded me warmly and painfully of my own Catholic school days. Moving, I shed a tear more than once. The whole thing is a frame story, and I admittedly did not read half of the flashback stories that had to do with the kids doing goofy things in the old neighborhood. The whole narrative moves fairly slowly and is packed with the type of garbage about 'the good old days' that appeals to boomers. Frankly, there was no need for it to be so nostalgically sad, especially the plot twist at the end.

[Mary Sewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, but not being Catholic a lot of it was a little detailed and tedious wading though for me. Enjoyed the parts about the hero as a boy and his relationships with his friends and then his wife and daughters. Loved the character of Father Tim.

[Kathy Manns055 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked to have given this novel 3.5 stars, if possible.

Less a novel about a priest known as Father Tim to his St Basil parishioners than it is a poignant tale about a man (the narrator) looking back on his life. I enjoyed this story. It made me laugh out loud a few times as the narrator recounted his youthful days at St Basil’s as well as what he experienced growing up in the fifties in a small town in America. There were a few times the book made me cry, too.

You learn a lot about the narrator during the course of the story - but not so much about the priest. I would have liked more of Father Tim. Still, it’s a very good read.

[Kevin Roones · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife acquired this book through a co-worker, who thought that Father Tim was based upon the character in the Mitford series by Jan Karon, which my wife enjoys. Even though it is not the same character and I do not have a Catholic background I still enjoyed the book very much. It was quite clever how the author wove the story of the fictional childhood antics of the protagonist, who is returning to his boyhood home to attend the funeral of Father Tim, and his friends. It is a wonderful tale of growing up and friendships and human relationships, with quite a lot of humor thrown in.

[Marcia Dene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love storytellers. Tom Robertson tells a story we can all relate to. His character (Michael) is returning to his childhood neighborhood to attend the funeral of Father Tim. During the course of the day, Michael reminisces about his life. This includes his family, his friends, his wife and children, his teachers, and Father Tim. It is a tender story told with laughter and love and pain. All of us have these stories. Robertson writes this as though it were his story but it isn't. It pretty much belongs to anyone. Well done

[Joe Peet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not A Father Tim Story

I was so ripped off! Just checking to see whether Jan Martin had released another Fr. Tim from Mitford book. Seeing the title in response to my query,I clicked on it.

Not fair Amazon.

It is more of a shame because Robertson is a good writer. He had me laughing out loud.

I would read another book by him.

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story to touch your heart.

I loved every bit of this story. The childhood reminiscing hit exactly the right, familiar notes. Even though these were boys in Catholic school and I am a non-Catholic girl, so many things reminded me of my own youth.

[Ginger Jolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed "growing up" with Mike. His childhood reminded me of my own in many ways - simple and fun. The ending was kind of a bummer. Even though I know we hardly ever "walk off into the sunset" I still want to.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming book is more about the escapades of young boys growing up, under the influence of a devoted and understanding Catholic priest, than it is about the priest's burial. I really liked the humorous stories about the adventures and misadventures of adolescent boys.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It's not so much about father Tim as the author and his memories of growing up becoming a man and creating his life, which was profoundly influenced by his faith, his family and the people along the way.

[Ellison · Rating 2 out of 5]

starts out somber with deaths, then, it turns into an attempt at slap stick as the main character recounts his childhood, rolling out a collection of caricatures, all with nick names, he however does not have a nick name?

also see 'me and caleb'

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The childhood stories made me laugh and remember good times of my own!

[Kathryn Stolpman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you grew up in the 50's and 60's this book will surely stir memories. For those readers who attended Catholic School this book will be especially entertaining.

[Linda L Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding read.

This is one of the best books I have read and I read a lot. It made me laugh out loud many times. I would recommend it to all, young or old.

[Robert Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I am so glad that I stumbled upon this thoughtful book that was at times, funny and sad. I am not and never was a Roman Catholic but that does not matter. The book spoke to the human, the relationships we all experience in our lives. Perhaps because I have just entered my sixth decade, or perhaps having lost someone I was particularly sensitive but Tom Robertson's story was very touching and all too real. At some points I laughed uncontrollably and some parts of the book made me sad but for just a little while I was back in the 60's hanging out with friends. I find myself reflecting on those times more now and Mr. Robertson's well written, almost poetic book made those reflections even more meaningful. Thank you sir for the best book I have read in a long time. My friends can expect this as a special Christmas present this year.

[Suzanne Brayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer:This book is NOT at all related to the Father Tim of Holly Springs and Mitford.

That being said, it was a wonderful book.

This story is written like a reminiscence by the storyteller, who knew and loved Father Tim, a Catholic Priest, as a boy.

You will laugh, you will get a tear or two in your eye. It's delightful. It all starts when the protagonist has to drive back to his hometown to attend Father Tim's funeral. Every situation and building bring back memories, of all kinds.

This is the kind of book that makes you want to stop, while reading it and find someone who will listen to you read a passage, just 'cause there are so many poignant moments.

[Florenz Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most enjoyable .

The ending surprised me but I found the story therapeutic having been able to relate to Catholicism and the human side of Father Tim. I could not stop reading the book and marvelled at the way in which the author used the funeral of the priest as a framework for telling such a humorous tale. Well done

[Kay Schuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read! The book description says it all. I laughed, I cried, I found myself being reminded of my own growing up escapades. In a world of so much stress, anger, and discouraging events, this book is a very much needed temporary escape into a simpler time I can definitely relate to. A truly fun and great read I will gladly reread in the future!

[Carole La Neve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brings back memories of Catholic School

Adventures and escapades from the older mature man he became. Good times and lessons learned from Coach (Fr.) Tim. You can't go back home, but your memories can take you there.

[Tera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, especially as a Chicagoan.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent read 4 ****