Father Brinstan G. Takach, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Saturday, February 24, 2007, after a long illness. The son of the late Stephen and the late Mary (Evon) Takach, he was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on March 29, 1922. Surviving are his sisters, Mrs. Lavonne Skowronek of Youngwood and Mrs. Berenice Tomei of Independence, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He attended Holy Cross Parochial School in Youngwood, and is a 1940 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1945 from Saint Vincent College, and attended Saint Vincent Seminary from 1945-48. In 1965, he was awarded a master of divinity degree from the Seminary. Father Brinstan did graduate studies with the National Science Foundation summer program at the University of Nebraska, the University of Oklahoma, Seton Hill College, Duquesne University, Saint Francis College and Armstrong College.
He entered the Benedictine Monastic Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1942. He made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1943, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1947. He was ordained a priest in Saint Vincent Archabbey Church by the Most Rev. Hugh C. Boyle, Bishop of Pittsburgh, on July 13, 1948. He also held Byzantine Rite faculties.
Father Brinstan primarily served in the Archabbey’s pastoral apostolate. He was assistant pastor at Saint Mary Church, Saint Marys, Pennsylvania (1948-54); Saint Benedict Church, Carrolltown, Pennsylvania (1954-61); and Saint John Church, Summerhill, Pennsylvania (1961-66).
He was a teacher at Central Catholic High School (now Elk County Christian) in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania (1949-54); and at Bishop Carroll High School in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania (1959-66); and headmaster (1966-1967) at the James Barry-Robinson School for Boys in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as guidance counselor (1967-1976), teacher and head of the Math Department (1967-1978) at Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia, and was assistant headmaster there from 1967 to 1969. From 1967 to 1976, he was weekend chaplain for the U.S. Marines at Parris Island, South Carolina, and from 1976 to 1978 he was pastor of Saint Ann Church, Richmond Hill, Georgia; Saint Casimir Church, East Vandergrift, Pennsylvania (1979-85); and Saint Benedict Church, Carrolltown, Pennsylvania/Saint Lawrence Church, St. Lawrence, Pennsylvania (1985-91). Following his service in Carrolltown, he was pastor of Saint Bede Church, Bovard, Pennsylvania and special consultant to the Archabbot for Eastern Church Ministries until his retirement in 2002.
He was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, and past member of the Priests’ Senates of the Dioceses of Greensburg and AltoonaJohnstown.
The body of Father Brinstan will be received in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center at 3 p.m. Monday, February 26. Viewing will be held from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the parlor of the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center. The body will be transferred to the Basilica for the Vigil Service at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 28 in the Saint Vincent Basilica, followed by interment in Saint Vincent Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund at Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690.
