OBITUARY

Reverend Kevin J. Brassil

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PORTSMOUTH — Reverend Kevin J. Brassil, 86, Pastor Emeritus of St. Barnabas Parish, Portsmouth, died Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

Born in Providence to the late Patrick and Mary (Crowley) Brassil, he attended the Cleary School and LaSalle Academy, both in Providence.

In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick, and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore. He was 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 eight years. In addition to his parochial duties during these years, Father 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.

During retirement, Father Brassil resided in his family home in Providence, and continued to assist in parishes. He celebrated his 60th anniversary of priesthood ordination on May 31.

A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered on June 11 at St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth with Father Raymond L Tetrault as the main celebrant and homilist. Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans and Bishop Louis E. Gelineau were present, and other priests of the diocese concelebrated the funeral Mass.

Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.