Father Brendan L. Smetana, O.S.B., 90, a monk of St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002.

Father Brendan was born July 15, 1912, in Homestead, a son of the late Andrew and Mary (Gress) Smetana, one of 11 children. He attended St. Francis of Assisi Grade School in Munhall and Holy Name High School in Duquesne. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1936, and his master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1938.

Father Brendan entered Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1933, made simple profession of vows July 2, 1934, and solemn profession of vows July 11, 1937. He was ordained a priest June 16, 1940.

From 1934 to 1940, Father Brendan worked in various capacities at Saint Vincent College and Preparatory School. From 1940 to 1987 he served in the Archabbey’s pastoral apostolates. He was first assigned to St. Mary Church, North Side, Pittsburgh, and was pastor of Saint Cecilia Church in Whitney from 1950 to 1952. From 1952 to 1987, he was parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Jeannette. He retired to the Archabbey in 1987.

Father Brendan authored several articles on religious topics for local newspapers. His postgraduate degree thesis, “Time Catholic Press – An Apostolate of a Modern Day”, received first place in a nationwide competition sponsored by the Literary Awards Foundation of The Catholic Press Association. Father Brendan was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of the Altar.

In addition to his parents, Father Brendan was preceded in death by five brothers, Charles, Clement, Joseph, Andrew and Edward; and a sister, Frances. He is survived by a brother, Stephen F. Smetana, Esq.; and three sisters, Theresa Simko of North Huntingdon, Bernadette Murko of Ligonier, and Ann Gertrude Boettner of San Antonio, Texas.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund at Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690.