Msgr. William P. Brennan, 88, a longtime educator and pastor in the Diocese of Camden, died Aug. 15.
Retired from active ministry since 2012, Msgr. Brennan had resided at Sacred Heart Residence in Cherry Hill.
Born July 8, 1936, in Staten Island, N.Y., he studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, N.J., before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Camden on May 25, 1963, by Bishop Celestine J. Damiano.
In his early years as a priest, he was a teacher of history and religion at both Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City, and Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill. He later went on to become a principal at both schools.
Diane Crowell, Religion Department chairperson at Camden Catholic, was a student at the school when Msgr. Brennan was principal.
“He was an amazing support to me,” she said. “I would go to him upset with student government issues or with my own school problems, and he would calmly say, ‘Sit down and let’s talk about this.’ He would lead me to the solution, and I would feel so relieved. He helped me to become a solid leader.”
Later, he was also the one to hire her as a teacher and coach at Camden Catholic. During this time, Crowell continued to learn from Msgr. Brennan. “He was a great school leader. He was so good with the students and wonderfully supportive of the faculty,” she said.
Msgr. Brennan also served as pastor of Church of the Incarnation, Mantua (1985-1997); Saint Pius X, Cherry Hill (1997-2009); and Christ the King, Haddonfield (2009-2012).
Msgr. Roger McGrath, who will serve as homilist at Msgr. Brennan’s funeral, lived with the priest first at Saint Pius X, and later at Christ the King Parish. He remarked that his friend was “the epitome of the good and faithful servant.”
During the Sunday dinners the two shared, as well as their outings to the Philadelphia Orchestra, Msgr. McGrath found in Msgr. Brennan a brother priest “who was always there to give good advice.”
Those Msgr. Brennan encountered over the years, “always recognized his pastoral heart,” Msgr. McGrath continued.
In his retirement, Msgr. Brennan made time to pursue his lifelong passion for woodworking, creating miniature doll houses for charity. He also enjoyed time with family, friends and his fellow priests at Sacred Heart Residence.
He was “always strong [and] spoke and treasured truthfulness,” said Father John Killeen.
Father Calogero LaVerde added, “[He was] a story teller of interesting stories from his past assignments and [someone] who shared his manly wisdom at the dining room table.”
Father Bernard Gannon and Father Max Fasciglione recalled “a faithful friend with a good sense of humor.” Father Robert Smith agreed, saying, “He was a great friend and neighbor of mine and pulled all the pinochle tricks. May he rest in peace.”
He was predeceased by his father, Hubert S. Brennan Sr.; his mother, Elizabeth McDermott Brennan; his sisters, Theresa Van Galen and Phyllis Gerneglia (and her husband, Joseph Gerneglia). He is survived by his brother Hubert S. Brennan Jr. and sister-in-law, Grace Brennan.
A viewing will be held 4-7 p.m. on Aug. 22 and 9-9:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 at Holy Eucharist Parish, 344 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be private.
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