Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home
Frank, 92, Topeka, Kansas, let go of this life on Sunday, January 10, 2021, at Stormont-Vail Hospital. He was born to George and Alice O'Connell Brentine, March 14, 1928, in the metropolitan community of Jersey City, New Jersey. Frank attended parochial elementary schools in that city and received his secondary education at St. Anthony's Minor Seminary in San Antonio, Texas. After spending a year at the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Mission, Texas, he pursued studies in philosophy and theology at the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio.
Frank was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on May 31, 1955, in the historic San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio. As an associate pastor, he was stationed at parishes in Houston and San Antonio and was chaplain at Santa Rosa Medical Center, San Antonio.
After battling alcoholism for several years, Frank spent five months at a treatment center for priests and religious men in Rochester, Minnesota. After spending three years as associate pastor at Assumption Parish in Richfield, Minnesota, he applied for an indult from Rome to be laicized. On December 19, 1973, Frank and Ellen Joan Bakker were married in a private ceremony in St. Theresa Catholic Church, Perry, Kansas, with Father John Quinlan as witness.
Frank worked as a counselor in the field of alcoholism and other drug addictions since 1973. After counseling for a year at the Topeka State Hospital, he joined the staff of the Menninger Clinic where he was an alcohol and drug counselor for 15 years. Frank received an MS degree in general counseling from Emporia State University in 1981. He was a member of the National and Kansas Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors and edited newsletters for KAADC and the Menninger program and published three pamphlets on alcoholism and drug addictions.
Frank retired from Menninger Clinic in March 1990. He was an active member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, enjoyed writing, attending classes at Washburn University, swimming, playing golf (achieving two hole-in-ones), flying kites, setting off aerial fireworks and giving away toys.
By the grace of God and help of others, Frank was able to maintain his sobriety for 51 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, younger sister, Mary Jane, and older brother, George, who was killed by flak over Normandy, France, while co-piloting a B-26 medium bomber on June 10, 1944, and is buried in the American Cemetery at Cambridge, England. Frank is survived by his wife, Ellen; nieces, Alice, Laureen, Mary Beth, and Diane; nephew, Walter; and first cousin, Jeanne.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka KS 66604, with Rosary being prayed at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church. Private inurnment will be at a later date in St. Dionysius Cemetery in Tyler, Minnesota.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks and social distance are required.
Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, or donor's choice, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may sent online to
www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.
Frank Brentine, Author.
LINKS
Topeka Capital-Journal Memoriams
http://cjonline.com
Memories
Gallery
Guestbook