Obituary for Fr. Kevin J. Brassil
Reverend Kevin J. Brassil, 86, Pastor Emeritus of St. Barnabas Parish, Portsmouth, died Tuesday, June 5, 2018.
Born in Providence to Patrick and Mary (Crowley) Brassil on April 6, 1932, Father Brassil attended the Cleary School and LaSalle Academy, both in Providence. Called to the priesthood, he then studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick, and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, being ordained a priest on May 31, 1958 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
Teaching at St. Thomas Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky from 1958-1961, Father Brassil returned to the Diocese of Providence to serve as assistant pastor at St. Bernard Parish, Wickford (1962-64); St. Augustine, Providence (1964-69); St. Joseph, Pascoag (1969-1970); and St. Anthony, Providence (1970-1971). In 1971 he became a member of the team ministry at St. Michael Parish, Providence, where he served for the next 8 years. In addition to his parochial duties during these years, Fr. Brassil served as Dean of Providence Deanery I (1974)
In 1980, Father Brassil completed advanced studies in the Religious Leader’s Program at the Center for Pastoral and Social Ministry of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and after a short term as assistant pastor at St. James Parish in West Warwick was appointed pastor of St. Edward Parish, Pawtucket in 1981. In 1993, Father was named pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Portsmouth, where he served until 2004, retiring as Pastor Emeritus.
Residing in his family home in Providence since his retirement, Father Brassil was most honored to continue to bring the presence of Christ at every opportunity, celebrating his 60th anniversary in priesthood just this past week.
Throughout his priesthood and through the ministry so freely offered in the various parishes in which he served, Father Brassil was well known for his compassion, caring and selfless giving to all in need. A true champion to the poor and disadvantaged, both within and beyond the church community, Fr. Brassil was an active member of the Priests for Justice, his voice never silent in advocating for those whose voices were not being heard. Ever sensitive to the needs of the people with whom he came in contact, he is considered a true friend by all.
Father Brassil was preceded in death by his parents Patrick and Mary, a brother, Vincent, a sister, Patricia, as well as a nephew, Barry and great-nephew, Colin.
Surviving nieces and nephews Sean Brassil, (Jayne), Kevin Brassil, (Martha), Kara Tennett, (James), Maureen Medeiros and Sheila Brassil-Gray, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews Patrick and Connor Brassil, Timothy and Thomas Brassil, Sean and Katherine Tennett, Madison and Maxwell Medeiros, and Shannon and Kyle Brassil will each miss the loving presence of their uncle, Father Kevin.
Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 from 2-5pm in the Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home, 230 Waterman St., Providence. Visitation will also be held on Monday, June 11, 2018 from 10-11am at St. Barnabas Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of Father Brassil’s soul will follow at 11am at St. Barnabas Church. Burial will be in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McAuley House, 622 Elmwood Ave. Providence 02907 or to St Michael the Archangel Social Ministries, 239 Oxford St., Providence, R.I. 02905.
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Born in Providence to Patrick and Mary (Crowley) Brassil on April 6, 1932, Father Brassil attended the Cleary School and LaSalle Academy, both in Providence. Called to the priesthood, he then studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick, and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, being ordained a priest on May 31, 1958 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
Teaching at St. Thomas Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky from 1958-1961, Father Brassil returned to the Diocese of Providence to serve as assistant pastor at St. Bernard Parish, Wickford (1962-64); St. Augustine, Providence (1964-69); St. Joseph, Pascoag (1969-1970); and St. Anthony, Providence (1970-1971). In 1971 he became a member of the team ministry at St. Michael Parish, Providence, where he served for the next 8 years. In addition to his parochial duties during these years, Fr. Brassil served as Dean of Providence Deanery I (1974)
In 1980, Father Brassil completed advanced studies in the Religious Leader’s Program at the Center for Pastoral and Social Ministry of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and after a short term as assistant pastor at St. James Parish in West Warwick was appointed pastor of St. Edward Parish, Pawtucket in 1981. In 1993, Father was named pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, Portsmouth, where he served until 2004, retiring as Pastor Emeritus.
Residing in his family home in Providence since his retirement, Father Brassil was most honored to continue to bring the presence of Christ at every opportunity, celebrating his 60th anniversary in priesthood just this past week.
Throughout his priesthood and through the ministry so freely offered in the various parishes in which he served, Father Brassil was well known for his compassion, caring and selfless giving to all in need. A true champion to the poor and disadvantaged, both within and beyond the church community, Fr. Brassil was an active member of the Priests for Justice, his voice never silent in advocating for those whose voices were not being heard. Ever sensitive to the needs of the people with whom he came in contact, he is considered a true friend by all.
Father Brassil was preceded in death by his parents Patrick and Mary, a brother, Vincent, a sister, Patricia, as well as a nephew, Barry and great-nephew, Colin.
Surviving nieces and nephews Sean Brassil, (Jayne), Kevin Brassil, (Martha), Kara Tennett, (James), Maureen Medeiros and Sheila Brassil-Gray, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews Patrick and Connor Brassil, Timothy and Thomas Brassil, Sean and Katherine Tennett, Madison and Maxwell Medeiros, and Shannon and Kyle Brassil will each miss the loving presence of their uncle, Father Kevin.
Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 from 2-5pm in the Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home, 230 Waterman St., Providence. Visitation will also be held on Monday, June 11, 2018 from 10-11am at St. Barnabas Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of Father Brassil’s soul will follow at 11am at St. Barnabas Church. Burial will be in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McAuley House, 622 Elmwood Ave. Providence 02907 or to St Michael the Archangel Social Ministries, 239 Oxford St., Providence, R.I. 02905.
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