The Portsmouth Star, Page 1 (Portsmouth, Virginia) Wednesday, 19 Dec 1951

Father Brennan Dies at 66; Was Native of Portsmouth

The Rev. Joseph V. Brennan, 66, one of Norfolk's best known Catholic priests and for the last nine years pastor of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, died in DePaul Hospital today at 7 a.m.

The native of Portsmouth, Father Brennan was a member of family long prominent in Catholic affairs. He was a son of the late Michael Brennan and Mrs. Mary Ann O'Connor Brennan of Portsmouth.

Father Brennan, who came to Norfolk church in 1942, had been in failing health for nearly three years. He had been critically ill for the last several weeks, following a paralytic stroke.

As a result of ill health, Father Brennan was given sick leave some months ago and the Rev. Francis J. Bradican was sent to Norfolk as administrator.

Father Brennan attended St. Paul's Catholic School in Portsmouth, St. Paul's College, Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md.

He was ordained in 1921. His churches included assistant pastor of St. Paul's, Richmond; St. Mary's, Suffolk; St. Mary's, Fredericksburg; Sacred Heart, Danville, Va. At the latter church, he was successful in erecting a new huge house of worship.

He was active in the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society. He was past chaplain of the Norfolk Council of K. of C. and advisor of the Tidewater Holy Name Society.

He is survived by two sisters, Misses Rose and Loretta C. Brennan, of Portsmouth; an uncle, Robert J. O'Connor, of Hampton; a nephew, Rev. Vincent Murphy, assistant pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church, Hampton.

Father Brennan was the brother of the last Mnsgr. James A. Brennan, of St. Patrick's Church, Richmond, who died December 17, 1950.

There will be a pontifical Requiem Mass on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, with the Most Rev. Peter L. Ireton, D. D., bishop of the Diocese of Richmond.

Interment will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery, Portsmouth. The body will be taken to Norfolk from the Brennan Funeral Home, Portsmouth.