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Obituary
Fr. John J. Brickley, 89, passed away Friday, October 30, 1998 at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
Fr. Brickley, son of Patrick and Mayme (Burns) Brickley, was born August 12, 1909, in Harvard, IL. At the age of two he moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, with his family. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Loras College, from which he graduated in 1931. He took his theological studies at the Sulpician Seminary and did graduate work in sociology and education at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
He was ordained to the priesthood June 15, 1935, by Archbishop Francis J. L. Beckman at St. Raphael Cathedral, Dubuque.
In 1935 Fr. Brickley was appointed associate pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Cresco. Then he taught in the high school, took car of the mission parish of St. Stephen in Chester, and was chaplain of Mercy Hospital, Cresco.
In 1939 Fr. Brickley was named associate pastor of St. Cecelia parish in Ames, where he was also the first chaplain to the Catholic students at Iowa State University. From 1943 to 1949 he was pastor of SS Peter and Paul parish, Gilbert, and Good Shepherd parish, Jewell.
Fr. Brickley was named pastor of St. Mary parish, Ackley in January 1949, and in October 1954, he became pastor of St. Patrick parish, Nevada, and St. Mary parish, Colo. In March 1966, Fr. Brickley was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart parish, Eagle Grove. In 1969, he became pastor of St. Mary parish, Williams.
He was appointed to St. Patrick's parish, Britt, in September 1973 where he served until his retirement in 1985.
After retirement Fr. Brickley lived for a time at Lake Corneila near Clarion, he then returned to Britt where he lived until moving to Kenosha, Wisconsin and eventually to Villa Raphael in Dubuque.
Fr. Brickley is a Past President of the Hancock County Ministerial Association and the Britt Lions Club, he was a board member of the Hancock County Right to Life. He is a charter Member of the National Association of Priest Pilots. Fr. Brickley has been the National Hobo Chaplain since 1975; he was also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.
Fr. Brickley is survived by one sister-in-law Mrs. Clara Brickley, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and a sister.