Rev. Paul Owen Brisbane

The Rev. Paul Owen Brisbane, 87, of Coldwater, entered into eternal life Friday, December 8, 2023 at Promedica Regional Hospital in Coldwater. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A service celebrating his life will be held May 25, 2024, and interment will follow in the St. Mark's Memorial Garden and Columbarium.

Fr. Paul was born Sept. 29, 1936 in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of William and Viola May (Rose) Brisbane. He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Coldwater. He graduated from Union City High School in 1954, Western Michigan University (B.A.) in 1958, and Church Divinity School of the Pacific (M.Div.) in 1962. He was ordained Deacon at his home parish of St. Mark's in Coldwater in 1962, and ordained priest in 1963 at Calvary Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His first marriage was to Sandra S. Bredahl in 1958. His second marriage was to Judith E. (Meyers) Ritter in 1983.

In his ordained ministry, Fr. Brisbane served sixteen churches in 6 states, including South Dakota, Wisconsin, Kansas, New York, Colorado, and Michigan, and served as supply priest in 20 different churches in Michigan. In the parishes and dioceses that he served, he also was very active on Boards and Commissions, including the American Red Cross; Boy Scouts of America; Girl Scouts; Agencies on Aging; Departments of Missions, Youth, and College Work; Ecclesiastical Court; Standing Committee; Diocesan Council; long time member of the Board of Directors (and President for four years) of the Rural Workers Fellowship; Chairman of the Town and Country Department of the Wisconsin Council of Churches; and as a member of the Independence, Kansas Mid-Continent Band (playing French Horn); and many others. He was a skilled woodworker, and has left behind many treasured items he created for family and friends.

Fr. Paul is survived by his wife Judy, six children and step-children: Kathleen (Scott) Wesley of Cheltenham, MD, Elizabeth (Kevin) Mowan of Quincy, Patricia (Don) Hetrick of Vicksburg, William (Trish) Brisbane of Galesburg, Hope (Nate) Wolverton of Coldwater, Shane Ritter of Elsie, Kansas, 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, former wife Sandy and siblings Carl L. Brisbane and Joyce E. McGuire.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mark's Endowment Foundation, 27 E. Chicago St., Coldwater, MI 49036.