Bernard Brennan Sr.

Published 8:51 am Friday, March 13, 2015

Bernard Alvin “Bernie” Brennan Sr. passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at his home in Bogalusa. He was 92 years old.

Born in New Orleans and a resident of Bogalusa, Bernie was a much-loved member of the community. He was very dedicated to his family, church, community and, most importantly, God.

Bernie graduated from Warren Easton High School in 1941. After completion of high school, he worked on building the Higgins Boat during World War II.

Following his marriage to Orleana “Olie” Walters in 1944, the couple moved to Bogalusa in 1950 to run a Tom’s Toasted Peanut Distribution route. In 1973, Bernie opened his own business, Brennan’s Wholesale Candy, which remains a family business to this day.

Bernie was a lifelong member of Annunciation Catholic Church and served the church in many capacities. A few of his many accomplishments include construction of the Annunciation Church Rectory, Dobyns Center, Bordenave Hall and Annuncation Catholic School’s cafeteria. He was awarded the Order of Saint Louis, Saint Louis Medallion, through the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In addition, Bernie was very involved in Knights of Columbus, Council 1819, in which he was a Fourth Degree Knight.

Bernie was an active member of MCCA Mardi Gras association. He was a charter member of the RooGaRoo Krewe, and he helped to construct both their current float and den.

A devoted husband, father, son, brother and grandfather, Bernie is survived by his wife of almost 71 years, Orleana Walters Brennan; four children, Linda Brennan, Sheila Brennan Seal (Randy Seal), Bernie Brennan (Christi Brennan) and Jennifer Brennan Scianna (Stanley Scianna); nine grandchildren, Christi Seal Brown (Barrett Brown), Rand Seal (Jennifer Seal), Katie Scianna Moore (Bobby Moore), Kristen Scianna Sentell (Christopher Sentell), Lee Seal (Kayla Seal), Sarah Seal, Jonathan Scianna (Chelbe Crain), Nicholas Brennan and James Brennan; six great-grandchildren, Beau Brown, Scianna Moore, Halle Seal, John Robert Moore, Breelyn Seal and Emmaline Sentell; one brother, Terry Brennan (Joyce Brennan); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bernie was preceded in death by his daughter, Ann Marie Brennan Roe; one grandson, Derrick Brennan Seal; his parents, James Brennan Sr. and Josephine Martina Brennan; nine brothers and sisters, James “Jimmy” Brennan Jr., Millie Brennan Miller, Rose Brennan Collins, Eddie Brennan, Donald Brennan, Will Brennan, Pat Brennan and newborn twins.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Friday, March 13, 2015, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 6 p.m.

Visitation will continue on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Annunciation Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service mass will be held at 11 a.m., with Father Patrick Collum, the Rev. Father Daniel Brouillette and the Rev. Greg Whaley officiating. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens.

To view and sign the register book online, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.