Father Vincent P. Brennan, SM, who served in Atlanta for over 40 years, died Aug 10 in Washington, D.C.

A Marist priest for 52 years, he was a teacher and principal at Marist College from 1943 until 1968 and a pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption Church from 1973 to 1976.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 14 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Atlanta. Burial was in Westview Cemetery. A prayer service took place the evening of Aug. 13.

Father Brennan is recognized for his foresight in moving Marist College from its downtown Ivy Street location next to Sacred Heart Church to its present site on Ashford-Dunwoody Road. The move became necessary when construction of the downtown connector took one of the school's buildings. Father Brennan, in searching for a new location, decided against a 72-acre tract at Peachtree and Lenox Roads, now Lenox Square, because he felt the area would soon become crowded.

He was born Nov. 11, 1912 in Boston, Mass. He attended St. Mary's Manor, Penndel, PA, from 1930-34 and made his first vows as a Marist at Our Lady of the Elms, Staten Island, in 1935. He completed theological studies at Marist College in Washington, D.C., and was ordained June 8, 1941.

He received a Master of Arts degree in speech and drama from Catholic University in 1943. He was keenly interested in arts and photography. The Vincent P. Brennan Award is given annually to the student who excels in dramatic arts at Marist.

He was chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Atlanta Council 660 and the Monsignor John Stapleton Council. He was also chaplain emeritus of the 4th Degree Archbishop Gerald P. O'Hara Assembly and served as state chaplain in 1965.

He is survived by members of the Society of Mary, two sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Contributions can be made to the Father Brennan Scholarship Fund at Marist School, 3790 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319.