The Paulist Fathers are mourning the death of brother Paulist priest Father Wilfred Anthony Brimley Jr., who passed away May 5 at the age of 92.
Father Brimley, who died from natural causes at Marion Manor Residence in South Boston, formerly served at Immaculate Conception Parish in Knoxville. The Paulist Fathers said it did not appear that his death was related to the coronavirus.
Father Brimley had been part of the Paulist community for 65 years and a priest for 58 years. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., on July 19, 1927, a son of Wilfred A. Brimley Sr., and Elizabeth Kenney Brimley.
He served in the Army Air Corps from 1945 to 1947; earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University; and worked in the Central Intelligence Agency from 1951 to 1954.
On Sept. 6, 1955, he entered the Paulist novitiate. He made his first promise on Sept. 8, 1956, and his final promise on Sept. 8, 1959. After being ordained a deacon in the autumn of 1961, he was ordained a priest on May 11, 1962.
During his long priesthood, Father Brimley also served at Good Shepherd Church in New York City; St. Lawrence Church in Minneapolis; Old St. Mary’s in Chicago; St. Andrew Church in Clemson, S.C.; St. Nicholas Church in North Pole, Alaska; and the Paulist Center in Boston.
Father Brimley was preceded in death by his brother, John, and sister, Betty. He is survived by his brother Paulists; a niece, Diane; a great-niece, and a great-nephew.
