Obituary of Gregory Brennan

Fr. J. Gregory Brennan, O.F.M. St. Bonaventure, NY-- Fr. J. Gregory Brennan, O.F.M., 56, a professed Franciscan Friar for 32 years and a priest for 28 years, died tragically and was pronounced dead on Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. Fr. Brennan was born on April 10, 1951, in Troy, NY to James and Marie Anne (Beaudoin) Brennan. He was baptized on April 29 in St. Jean’s Church in Troy. From 1956 to 1965, he attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and in 1969, he graduated from Catholic Central High School, both in Troy. In 1973, he received a B.A. degree in philosophy from Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y. Fr. Brennan was received into the Franciscan Order at St. Francis Friary in Brookline, Mass., on Sept. 2, 1973, where he also professed his first vows on Aug. 24, 1974. He made his solemn profession on Aug. 20, 1977, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, New York, N.Y. Fr. Brennan pursued his theological studies at the Washington Theological Union, Washington, D.C. On May 12, 1979, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Md., by Bishop Eugene Marino, S.S.J. Following his ordination in 1979, he was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Bonaventure Church in Allegany. He then served as parochial vicar at St. Stephen of Hungary Church in New York City, from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he returned to Western New York as a staff member of the Division of Business and Finance at St. Bonaventure University. Since 2001, he served as manager of fixed assets and reprographics for the University. In addition, since 1989 he served as pastor of the mission parish of St. Pacificus in Humphrey, N.Y., and over the years was chaplain to St. Francis Hospital in Olean, the Olean and Allegany Fire Departments, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and was once president of the New York State Firefighters Chaplains Association. Fr. Greg was Chaplain & Finance Office for Allegany Boy Scout Troop 677 & Advisor to the Order of the Arrow. In the past he was also State Chief of Chaplains for the Scouts & served numerous times as chaplain at the National Scout Jamboree. He also received the Scouts’ highest honor for volunteerism. Fr. Brennan is survived by his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers, all of whom live in the Capital District of New York state. The wake will be held on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, from 1 to 9 p.m., at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel. A prayer service will be held there on Friday beginning at 8 p.m. and will conclude the evening visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at 9 a.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Church, 202 S. Union St., Olean. Minister Provincial John O’Connor, O.F.M., will celebrate the funeral Mass and Fr. Richard Flaherty, O.F.M., will give the homily. Interment will follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. Parishioners at St. Pacificus will celebrate Fr. Brennan’s life during Masses on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at 8 and 9:30 a.m.